Iran says no limits on enrichment, stepping further from 2015 deal - TV

[webfact]

Iran says no limits on enrichment, stepping further from 2015 deal - TV

By Parisa Hafezi

 

FILE PHOTO: An Iranian flag flutters in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna, Austria September 9, 2019. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran announced on Sunday it would abandon limitations on enriching uranium, taking a further step back from commitments to a 2015 nuclear deal with six major powers, but it would continue to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

 

Iran had been expected to announce its latest stance on the deal this weekend. But its announcement coincided with a major escalation of hostilities with Washington following the U.S. killing of top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike on Friday in Baghdad.

 

State television said Iran would not respect any limits set down in the pact on the country's nuclear work: whether the limit on its number of uranium enrichment centrifuges to its enrichment capacity, the level to which uranium could be enriched, the amount of stockpiled enriched uranium or Iran's nuclear Research and Development activities.

 

"Iran will continue its nuclear enrichment with no restrictions .... and based on its technical needs," a government statement cited by television said.

 

Iran has steadily overstepped the deal’s limits on its nuclear activities in response to the United States’ withdrawal from the accord in 2018 and Washington's reimposition of sanctions that have crippled Iran’s oil trade.

 

Under the nuclear deal, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of most international sanctions.

 

Relations between Tehran and Washington sharply deteriorated after President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the United States from the deal. Iran has criticised European powers for failing to salvage the pact by shielding its economy from U.S. sanctions.

 

Sunday's statement said Tehran can quickly reverse its steps if U.S. sanctions are removed.

 

"This step is within JCPOA (deal) & all 5 steps are reversible upon EFFECTIVE implementation of reciprocal obligations," tweeted Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

 

Mark Fitzpatrick, associate fellow and nuclear non-proliferation expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said Iran's latest step left room for diplomacy.

 

"They are not saying how far they will push the enrichment or the number of centrifuges they’ll operate," Fitzpatrick told Reuters. “I think they have reserved a lot of room for negotiation and for taking further steps if they need to.”

 

'MAXIMUM PRESSURE'

 

Washington says the “maximum pressure” campaign it started after withdrawing from the nuclear agreement will force Iran to negotiate a more sweeping deal, covering its ballistic missile program and its role in Middle Eastern conflicts. Iran says it will not negotiate a new deal.

 

Tehran has rejected Western assertions that it has sought to develop nuclear weapons.

 

Iran has already breached many of the deal’s restrictions on its nuclear activities, including on the purity to which it enriches uranium, its stock of enriched uranium, which models of centrifuge it enriches uranium with and where it enriches uranium.

 

It has, however, not gone far over the purity allowed – the deal sets a limit of 3.67% and Iran has stayed around 4.5% in recent months, well below the 20% it reached before the deal and the roughly 90% that is weapons-grade.

 

The deal as a whole was designed to increase the time Iran would need to obtain enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb if it wanted one – the main obstacle to producing a nuclear weapon – from around two or three months.

 

(Additional reporting by Luke Baker in Brussels and Francois Murphy in Vienna; Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Frances Kerry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-06

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[TopDeadSenter]

So Iran shoots down U.S drones and Donald Trump waits. Iran attacks six oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump waits. Iran attacks Saudi oil fields Trump waits. Iran chants "Death to America" Trump waits.  Iran attacks U.S Embassy

The Left: Donald Trump is starting a war!

 

 This refusal to take any more nonsense from Iran is long overdue. It is to be expected that the Iranian regime will not take this well. But it is totally stunning to see the American left almost worshiping this dead terrorist dude. Watching CNN its almost as if Turner himself has passed on. Absolutely sick.

[Puchaiyank]

Iranians were lying to world leaders before Thailand became a nation...

 

They lied then and can not now be trusted to honor treaties or agreements of any kind...unless you are Russia or China...

[simple1]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

So Iran shoots down U.S drones and Donald Trump waits. Iran attacks six oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump waits. Iran attacks Saudi oil fields Trump waits. Iran chants "Death to America" Trump waits.  Iran attacks U.S Embassy

The Left: Donald Trump is starting a war!

 

 This refusal to take any more nonsense from Iran is long overdue. It is to be expected that the Iranian regime will not take this well. But it is totally stunning to see the American left almost worshiping this dead terrorist dude. Watching CNN its almost as if Turner himself has passed on. Absolutely sick.

Nonsense. Some media outlets are reporting on the questioning of the worth / risk of a tactical killing versus the strategic benefit, that is all. In any case the US invasion of Iraq is a known strategic error of judgement that cost the lives of approx million Iraqis. When a country invades another it is hardly surprising its armed forces face armed resistance. As usual armed forces personnel pay the price for political incompetence. 

 

The Iraqi government has now passed a resolution for the withdrawal of all foreign armed services in an attempt to avoid another proxy war on it's territory, though currently not enforceable.

 

 

Edited January 5, 2020 by simple1

[BobBKK]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

So Iran shoots down U.S drones and Donald Trump waits. Iran attacks six oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump waits. Iran attacks Saudi oil fields Trump waits. Iran chants "Death to America" Trump waits.  Iran attacks U.S Embassy

The Left: Donald Trump is starting a war!

 

 This refusal to take any more nonsense from Iran is long overdue. It is to be expected that the Iranian regime will not take this well. But it is totally stunning to see the American left almost worshiping this dead terrorist dude. Watching CNN its almost as if Turner himself has passed on. Absolutely sick.

Get out and isolate them - they can build as many power plants as they want, not USA business, UNLESS its a threat to USA. If that is the case take them out.

[spidermike007]

This new development is entirely the fault of Trump policy. Withdrawing from the treaty, without any plan, alternative or substitute, was a historic error in judgment, and created more instability in the region. A continuation of horrendous Trump foreign policy. What happens now is anyone's guess. But, my guess is that America is going to feel alot of pain from this latest incident. 

[LomSak27]

21 minutes ago, Puchaiyank said:

Iranians were lying to world leaders before Thailand became a nation...

 

They lied then and can not now be trusted to honor treaties or agreements of any kind...unless you are Russia or China...

The wildcard/playoffs are on the tube, good time to get back to the bar. 

[ezzra]

1 hour ago, simple1 said:

The Iraqi government has now passed a resolution for the withdrawal of all foreign armed services in an attempt to avoid another proxy war on it's territory, though currently not enforceable.

Will this includes Iran's regular army and air force as as well as proxy militia forces who are deeply entrenched in Iraq?...

[Emdog]

"Iran has steadily overstepped the deal’s limits on its nuclear activities in response to the United States’ withdrawal..."

May I point out that when US withdrew, the deal was no longer a deal....

[Tug]

3 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

So Iran shoots down U.S drones and Donald Trump waits. Iran attacks six oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump waits. Iran attacks Saudi oil fields Trump waits. Iran chants "Death to America" Trump waits.  Iran attacks U.S Embassy

The Left: Donald Trump is starting a war!

 

 This refusal to take any more nonsense from Iran is long overdue. It is to be expected that the Iranian regime will not take this well. But it is totally stunning to see the American left almost worshiping this dead terrorist dude. Watching CNN its almost as if Turner himself has passed on. Absolutely sick.

American left worshipping what a load what many are questioning is why trump pulled out of an agreement hammered out by people a lot smarter then you me and most certainly trump this whole mess the drone the shipping the embassy getting trashed are a direct result of trump pulling out of that deal grabbing Iran by the throat and trying to force them to bow down to trump they aren’t having it now they aren’t bound by any agreement I’m assuming they will do as they please there is one person who has ownership of this fiasco that is Donald trump

[nobodysfriend]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Washington says the “maximum pressure” campaign it started after withdrawing from the nuclear agreement will force Iran to negotiate a more sweeping deal

... will force Iran to accelerate their works on a nuclear bomb , even they deny that ...

[rabas]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This new development is entirely the fault of Trump policy. Withdrawing from the treaty, without any plan, alternative or substitute, was a historic error in judgment, and created more instability in the region. A continuation of horrendous Trump foreign policy. What happens now is anyone's guess. But, my guess is that America is going to feel alot of pain from this latest incident. 

Though a real agreement to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear state and export terrorism would be wonderful, this is not what the Obama deal achieved. First, it did nothing to prevent Iran's state sponsored adventurism (Quds) in the region, rather it helped fund its expansion as we now see.

 

It also allowed Iran to greatly expand it's industrial capabilities to enrich vast qualities of Uranium if and when it decided to do so (break the agreement). This has already been done. In 2018 Iran completed a new factory able to manufacture large numbers of highly advanced centrifuges equivalent to 300 current centrifuges per day. In months they can build vast new factories enriching uranium.

Reuters: Iran's new centrifuge factory

 

What on Earth kind of anti nuclear proliferation agreement allows that?

 

Most important and not clear to some, the only difference between enriching bomb grade uranium and reactor grade Uranium is a valve. "Yo Behrouz, turn the valve!" 

 

So Russia and China loved the deal, the Europeans got a bunch of trade, Iran got lots of money back to further their adventurism and build centrifuge factories and weapons. It was a good deal for many but not for limiting nuclear proliferation or peace. The deal is the cause of today's problems.

 

Edited January 6, 2020 by rabas

[Tug]

Rabas I beg to differ it was the first small steps towards normal relations towards peace now we are on the verge of war beeing run out of Iraq who’s winning there?trump imo is an utter fiasco the looks on those troops beeing deployed for god knows how many times when Donald tweets from his resort gots to be getting old no sir imo he has squandered all the blood and treasure we have invested in the last 20 years in the Middle East nope I’m not buying it

[earlinclaifornia]

Israel, now admits they have NUKES! Funny how this all might just play out for the ME.

[sammieuk1]

Thai news reporting $80 million fatwa on Trumps head issued by Iran ???? 

[ballpoint]

4 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Thai news reporting $80 million fatwa on Trumps head issued by Iran ???? 

This is the very, very bigliest fatwa ever issued.  Believe me, I know fatwas.

[simple1]

3 hours ago, ezzra said:

Will this includes Iran's regular army and air force as as well as proxy militia forces who are deeply entrenched in Iraq?...

Direct quote from Iraqi PM at URL below. I could be wrong, but my understanding is Iranian military assistance is at the request of the Iraqi government.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/body-of-commander-slain-by-us-strike-arrives-in-iran-to-crowds-of-mourners/2020/01/05/4ca3281a-2f17-11ea-bffe-020c88b3f120_story.html

 

trump has now threatened Iraq with 'deep sanctions' if Iraq insists on the removal of US forces. Seems to me trump is deeply ignorant and without a coherent strategy regards M.E. region.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/01/05/donald-trump-threatens-iraq-sanctions-expel-us-troops/2821255001/

 

 

 

Edited January 6, 2020 by simple1

[IAMHERE]

1 hour ago, nobodysfriend said:

... will force Iran to accelerate their works on a nuclear bomb , even they deny that ...

I'v met Persian's , mostly in university(go Salukis), they were not dumb at all. Brilliant and hard workers all. So, I have wondered the last several years how North Korea has developed a bomb and those near genius Persians have not. Iran perhaps should pay for North Korean assistance.  If someone would of taken the bet in 1990 I'd say no way North Korea beats Persians to the bomb. 

So, the bet now days would be which of them uses theirs first.

[HuskerDo]

29 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

Thai news reporting $80 million fatwa on Trumps head issued by Iran ???? 

Is that $80 mil part of the money previous American administrations gave them? Wonderful!

 

They are now dealing with a guy (Trump) that is not as "diplomatic" as a career politician. To heck with the fatwa. Bring it on while hundreds of 2000 pound bombs are dropping. It's time for the US to flex their muscles and show the world what the foremost Superpower can and will do unlike previous administrations. 

[Sujo]

9 minutes ago, HuskerDo said:

Is that $80 mil part of the money previous American administrations gave them? Wonderful!

 

They are now dealing with a guy (Trump) that is not as "diplomatic" as a career politician. To heck with the fatwa. Bring it on while hundreds of 2000 pound bombs are dropping. It's time for the US to flex their muscles and show the world what the foremost Superpower can and will do unlike previous administrations. 

Previous admin didnt give them anything. It was irans money. Im sure you knew that, so why say otherwise.

[HuskerDo]

28 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Previous admin didnt give them anything. It was irans money. Im sure you knew that, so why say otherwise.

Really? 

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/06/the-obama-administration-secretly-sought-to-give-iran-access-to-the-us-financial-system.html

[bristolboy]

3 minutes ago, HuskerDo said:

Really? 

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/06/the-obama-administration-secretly-sought-to-give-iran-access-to-the-us-financial-system.html

Your link is irrelevant since ultimately the Iranians weren't paid using that method.

[HuskerDo]

1 minute ago, bristolboy said:

Your link is irrelevant since ultimately the Iranians weren't paid using that method.

You are blind. There are "deals" going on all the time that aren't open to public consumption. How much cash was on the plane Obama sent over there for the hostages?

 

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/iran-payment-hostage-release-227170

 

https://fortune.com/2016/09/07/us-iran-billion-hostages-arms-deal/

[kwonitoy]

1 hour ago, earlinclaifornia said:

Israel, now admits they have NUKES! Funny how this all might just play out for the ME.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_and_Israel

 

Hate to break this to you Earl, Israel has had nuclear weapons since the late 60's

[bristolboy]

6 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

So Iran shoots down U.S drones and Donald Trump waits. Iran attacks six oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump waits. Iran attacks Saudi oil fields Trump waits. Iran chants "Death to America" Trump waits.  Iran attacks U.S Embassy

The Left: Donald Trump is starting a war!

 

 This refusal to take any more nonsense from Iran is long overdue. It is to be expected that the Iranian regime will not take this well. But it is totally stunning to see the American left almost worshiping this dead terrorist dude. Watching CNN its almost as if Turner himself has passed on. Absolutely sick.

It's Trump who reneged on the Nuclear Deal and Trump who began waging economic war on Iran.

[bristolboy]

6 minutes ago, HuskerDo said:

You are blind. There are "deals" going on all the time that aren't open to public consumption. How much cash was on the plane Obama sent over there for the hostages?

 

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/iran-payment-hostage-release-227170

 

https://fortune.com/2016/09/07/us-iran-billion-hostages-arms-deal/

These links are entirely irrelevant to the question of whether or not it was Iran's money and whether or not it was transferred illegally. Focus, please.

[stevenl]

28 minutes ago, kwonitoy said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_and_Israel

 

Hate to break this to you Earl, Israel has had nuclear weapons since the late 60's

The key in Earl's statement was 'admits'.

[The Theory]

Soon EU sanctions will be back as well then Iran will beg for a new deal. 

[billd766]

1 hour ago, HuskerDo said:

Is that $80 mil part of the money previous American administrations gave them? Wonderful!

 

They are now dealing with a guy (Trump) that is not as "diplomatic" as a career politician. To heck with the fatwa. Bring it on while hundreds of 2000 pound bombs are dropping. It's time for the US to flex their muscles and show the world what the foremost Superpower can and will do unlike previous administrations. 

quote "Is that $80 mil part of the money previous American administrations gave them? Wonderful!"

 

Did you mean this money? https://fortune.com/2016/08/05/money-america-iran/

 

In November 1979, Iran’s revolutionary government took 52 Americans hostages at the U.S. embassy, and the U.S. severed diplomatic relations with Tehran. In retaliation, Washington froze $12 billion in Iranian assets held on our shores. The hostage crisis was resolved in 1981 at a conference in Algiers, and the U.S. returned $3 billion to Iran, with more funds going either to pay creditors, or into escrow. The two nations also established a tribunal in the Hague called the Iran United States Claims Tribunal to settle claims both leveled by each government against the other, U.S. citizens versus Iran, and vice versa.

 

The major issue between the two governments was a $400 million payment for military equipment made by the government of the Shah of Iran, prior to the 1979 uprising that topped him. The U.S. banned delivery of the jets and other weapons amid the hostage crisis, but froze the $400 million advance payment. “The Pentagon handled arms purchases from foreign countries,” says Gary Sick, a former National Security Council official who served as the principal White House aide for Iran during the Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis. “Defense took care of the details. So the $400 million scheduled purchase was a government-to-government transaction. The U.S. government was holding the money. That’s why it was so difficult to resolve.”

 

[billd766]

1 hour ago, HuskerDo said:

Really? 

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/06/the-obama-administration-secretly-sought-to-give-iran-access-to-the-us-financial-system.html

Yes, really.