US Hits Firms Over Iran Petro-Exports, Tehran Ups Nuclear Work

Spokesman Nasser Kanaani told reporters at a foreign ministry briefing in Tehran that a “series of messages” had been exchanged since European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell recently made fresh proposals over efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).

“Borrell proposed a text based on previous talks [in Vienna until March between Iran and six world powers], and both sides [Iran and the United States] received it,” Kanaani said. “Iran has passed on its own views. We have witnessed that other sides have also reacted.”

Implying that Borrell’s proposals may concern process as much as substance, Kanaani said there was a fair possibility “in the near future of success in determining a time for new talks.” All depended, the spokesman insisted, on Washington showing “readiness for a logical agreement.”

‘Realm of guesswork’

Kanaani refused to comment on reports that Borrell had suggested a partial agreement under which Iran would receive some sanctions relief over oil exports in return for restoring greater access of United Nations nuclear inspectors. “Let us not enter the realm of guess-work,” he said.

Borrell took his initiative following the failure of talks in June between Iran and the US in Qatar, which failed to bridge differences remaining after year-long talks paused in Vienna in March. The main gaps were reportedly over which US sanctions, introduced after Washington left the JCPOA in 2018, violate the 2015 deal and how Iran’s refined nuclear program would be brought back within the deal’s limits.

Monday’s statement from Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, that Iran had the technical ability to produce a bomb – while, he said, not intending to do so – reiterated comments made last month by Kamal Kharrazi, a former foreign minister who now advises Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The two men’s remarks reflect progress in Iran’s nuclear program. By enriching uranium to 60 percent, way above the JCPOA limit of 3.67 percent, and introducing more advanced centrifuges banned under the JCPOA, Iran has moved far closer to being able to quickly enrich to the 90 percent purity of ‘weapons grade’ uranium.This would leave only ‘weaponization’ if the Iranian leadership chose that route.

Sanctions and Biden ‘plan B’

Frustration has continued to grow in US political circles that President Joe Biden’s approach to revive the JCPOA is failing. Critics from across the political spectrum have argued the agreement is either dead or in limbo.

The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that the US was considering upping sanctions on Iran – a move that could be a way of increasing pressure in JCPOA talks or a step towards a ‘plan B’ should the talks be deemed over.

The Journal reported the US administration was considering sanctioning an Iraqi-British man, Salim Ahmed Said, it believed was involved through a network of companies in disguising Iranian as Iraqi oil. In emails to the newspaper, Said denied involvement.

US third-party sanctions, introduced since 2018, threaten punitive action against those buying Iran’s oil or dealing with it financial sector, but implementation remains discretionary. While some US officials have suggested the Biden administration has held back from enthusiastic enforcement, Iran has also developed greater sophistication in evading US scrutiny.

The Journal also quoted a State Department spokesman denying the US was stepping back from action in order to allow more Iranian oil onto the market and dampen the inflationary effects of the Ukraine crisis. Opec+, led by Russia and Saudi Arabia, are not expected to agree any significant boost in production at their meeting due Wednesday.

Javan Daily has lashed out at the leader of reformist Jomhouriat [Republicanism] Party Rasoul Montajabnia for calling the Raisi administration's ministers, "yes men, political dwarves and individuals without commitments."

Javan daily said what Didban Iran [Iran Monitor] website had published as comments made by Montajabnia were examples of "insults and swear words."

Javan also criticized conservative websites such as Tabnak for "publishing accusations they would have condemned as insult if the same thing was said about them."

Montajabnia had characterized Raisi's comments about his economic plans including price rises as "irrational and childish." Meanwhile, he called Raisi's economic team "the weakest team of its kind since the 1979 revolution," and accused them of "masters of bluffing and making grandiose claims." He added that the members of the Raisi government are not fit for executive positions they hold.

In his interview with Didban Iran, Montajabnia had charged that Raisi's diplomatic team have always been bribing the Russians rather than trying to further nuclear negotiations with the West. He added that the government should stop its secrecy and talk to the nation about Russia's role in the failure of the nuclear talks, which prevented the lifting of sanctions and easing Iran's economic crisis.

He also seriously criticized the government for saying that the it can improve the economy despite US sanctions. "The government should be honest to the people and say that it is selling the country's oil at a discount price because of the sanctions. But unfortunately, the government is not brave enough to tell the truth to the people," Montajabnia said.

He accused Raisi of giving key jobs to people who are inferior to him in terms of knowledge and expertise and charged that "they are yes men who lack knowledge and executive experience."

Javan wrote that Montajabnia's behavior was contrary to the Iranian reformists claim about being the advocates of polite dialogue.

The reformist politician also accused the Raisi administration of being secretive about its performance and plans and also charged that First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, and his vice president for economic affairs Mohsen Rezaei have no real background in handling economic responsibilities. "The sheer presence of such individuals in Raisi's economic team has prompted economists to declare that a bad outcome is awaiting Iran’s economy."

Montajabnia argued that Riasi’s lofty promises a year ago when he took office are remembered as hollow slogans, and this creates wave after wave of dissatisfaction among Iranians on a daily basis.

He accused Raisi and First Vice President Mokhber of issuing orders rather than solving the country's problems while the nation, particularly the underprivileged strata are under immense economic pressures. He added that the Raisi government has set historic records of inflation as prices of for food and similar essentials have risen by 2 to 5 times in less than one year.

He said, "I am worried for Iran's future," adding that "We should accept that Iran's economy is bankrupt as most economists say, and that the situation is getting worse."

Following a meeting with the members of parliament's energy committee on Sunday, Mohammad Eslami, vice president and the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said that the parliamentarians are pushing to turn the so-called comprehensive roadmap for nuclear industry into law in such a way that the nuclear development process is not damaged by the change of administrations.

The document, which was unveiled on April 9 this year by the AEOI, includes the country’s plans for nuclear activities such as power generation, increasing nuclear radiation applications, radiopharmaceuticals, protection against radiation, and developing nuclear infrastructures. 

He added that the AEOI wants people to feel the tangible effects of nuclear technology in their lives. 

During the past weeks, many Iranian observers including commentators and lawmakers criticized President Ebrahim Raisi for claiming that the people wish to resist rather than reach an agreement that would lift US sanctions and bring about a breakthrough in Iran's economy.

Some former Iranian diplomats suggested that Raisi and other ultraconservatives take advantage of the current foreign policy impasse over the revival of the JCPOA for their own personal or factional political gains to strengthen their foothold in Iran's domestic politics.

Diplomats negotiating to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, JCPOA, have repeatedly said that an agreement has almost been completed in 11 months of talks in Vienna, but Tehran demands more sanctions be lifted than Washington is willing to waive.

“We shared our proposed ideas, both on substance and form, to pave the way for a swift conclusion of Vienna negotiations which were aimed at fixing the damaging complicated situation caused by the US unilateral and unlawful withdrawal,” Ali Bagheri-Kani tweeted Sunday afternoon, adding that Iran is working closely with its JCPOA partners, in particular the European coordinator of the talks, Josep Borrel, “to give another chance to the US to demonstrate good faith and act responsibly.”

“We stand ready to conclude the negotiations in a short order, should the other side be ready to do the same,” he added.

In in an essay in the Financial Times Tuesday, Borrel who is the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy said he has proposed a new draft text to revive the deal, and that he has “concluded that the space for additional significant compromises has been exhausted”.

"I have now put on the table a text that addresses, in precise detail, the sanctions lifting as well as the nuclear steps needed to restore the JCPOA," he wrote.

Yaghoub Rezazadeh, member of the presiding board of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Parliament told the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) earlier Sunday that a new round of nuclear talks with world powers will begin in Vienna, possibly soon, “given the efforts of the European partners” in the deal to revive the 2015 agreement, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

According to Rezazadeh, the members of the committee have held several meetings with Bagheri-Kani in the past few days and although Iran has offered to host the new talks, they will probably be held in Vienna.

Rezazadeh’s comments were the first time an Iranian official has spoken about the possibility of a new round of talks.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters during the week that Washington was reviewing the "draft understanding" Borrell shared with Iran and other parties to the 2015 deal and would respond directly to the EU.

Borrell also said there is a risk of a dangerous nuclear crisis, set against the prospect of increased isolation for Iran and its people, if the deal is rejected.

On Saturday two Telegram channels with links to IRGC suggested that Iran may build nuclear warheads “in the shortest possible time” if attacked by the US or Israel.

Israeli has repeatedly threatened in recent months to use all means at its disposal to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear threat and has said its armed forces are preparing for action if necessary. The US and Israel agreed in July to take a joint stance against Iran's nuclear program and involvement in regional conflicts and said they would work together to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Iran has now enriched enough uranium to 60 percent that if further enriched to 90 percent, the fissile material will be sufficient for a nuclear bomb within a few weeks.

Yaghoub Rezazadeh, a member of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said on Sunday that the decision has been taken thanks to the latest efforts of the European parties to reach a conclusion about the negotiations. 

Rezazadeh added that the Islamic Republic had proposed that the next round would be held in Iran, but the final location of the negotiations will be determined following the agreement by the parties.

He said during the past few days the members of the committee held several meetings with Ali Bagheri-Kani, the head of Tehran’s negotiating team.

Moreover, Ali Bagheri-Kani tweeted on Sunday that “We shared our proposed ideas, both on substance and form, to pave the way for a swift conclusion of Vienna negotiations which were aimed at fixing the damaging complicated situation caused by the US unilateral and unlawful withdrawal.”

He added that Tehran works closely with the JCPOA partners, in particular with the EU coordinator of the talks “to give another chance to the US to demonstrate good faith and act responsibly. As Iran, we stand ready to conclude the negotiations in a short order, should the other side be ready to do the same.”

State Department spokesman Ned Price said on July 26 that the US was mulling European Union’s proposals over Iran’s nuclear program. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell recently produced new ideas to bridge differences between the United States and Iran and allow both to return to the agreement.