Since the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as it is known, took effect, many have been concerned about the Iranian regime’s compliance. The nuclear deal is already quite ambiguous in certain parts and the deal is very one-sided in the Iranian regime’s favor, especially when it comes to inspections of nuclear facilities.

A Call on EU to end appeasement and reinstate UN Security Council resolutions against the Iranian regime

EU foreign ministers will hold emergency talks on Iran this Friday, January 10, 2019, after the Iranian regime announced it’s next move to virtually leave the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iranian regime President Hassan Rouhani rejected a European plan to save the flawed 2015 Iran nuclear deal at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The European initiative offered Tehran a $15 billion line of credit in return for an agreement that the regime would not take the third step in further violating the nuclear deal, demonstrating the Iranian regime’s deep crisis. Practicing the usual blackmail methods, Rouhani did leave a small window for negotiations open, as fully exiting the deal would endanger the regime’s standing with the EU and further isolate the regime from the international community. He agreed to give Europe two months to find a solution to save the deal.

Despite this two-month waiting period, the Iranian regime seems determined to continue with its plans to violate the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), otherwise known as the Iran nuclear deal. An official from Rouhani’s office said that the regime “will announce the third step that has an extremely important backbone and will accelerate the activities of Iran’s Atomic Energy Org.”

Having failed at piracy, Iran resorts to outright blackmail – deliver us $15 billion or we will further our nuclear developments. Sounds very similar to the threats Iran made a couple months back. It is becoming a pattern. #NuclearExtortion https://t.co/4FjC57wmsd

— Morgan Ortagus (@statedeptspox) September 4, 2019

A spokesman for Rouhani’s cabinet Ali Rabie commented on the negotiations between Europe and Iran on Monday. “The main issue of these negotiations must be that they buy oil from us. We must sell oil and the money should reach Iran easily… If prior to the set deadline Tehran’s satisfaction is not gained in regards to commitments being met, we will take a strong step in implementing the new round of reducing our commitments,” he said.

The mullahs’ nuclear & missile programs, warmongering & terrorism are consequences of the appeasement policy which must no longer continue. Just as giving immunity to the perpetrators of the #1988Massacre must also be stopped. #Iranhttps://t.co/FnzTnVG2Ro pic.twitter.com/WPWhQWxTn7

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) August 30, 2019

A spokesman for the regime’s Foreign Ministry Abbas Mousavi echoed those statements. “These measures will be stronger than our first and second phase,” he said. “If we do not witness the necessary will from the European parties to return to their JCPOA commitments, we will take our third step.”

Regime Media Coverage

A Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)-affiliated newspaper commented on the near-impossibility of crafting a deal with Europe which would allow the regime to sell oil to the EU without falling afoul of U.S. sanctions. The article wrote: “Zarif said the Europeans have nearly ended all trade relations with us and it is necessary that they take the necessary steps. INSTEX is a preliminary measure for Europe to implement its commitments. The Europeans and other JCPOA members had provided 11 commitments.”

 

The IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency quoted Zarif on the regime’s plans for the third step in leaving the Iran nuclear deal. “The third step is going through as scheduled. What the French President is continuing with his American partners is an issue between the French and the European Union. What is important to us is that Europe implements its commitments in this agreement,” Zarif was quoted as saying.

 

The state-run Farhikhtegan daily also weighed in on the issue, writing: “Considering the Europeans’ lack of cooperation, the government is forced to take its third step. This will most likely be a lethal blow to the JCPOA. As a result, Hassan Rouhani is attempting to divert public attention from the status quo in order to decrease the impact of his ideas among public opinion.”

55,000 Page Trove Reveals #Iranian Regime’s Clandestine Nuclear Development Program https://t.co/bXdUNNkqSO #IranDeal #FreeIran #MEK @USAdarFarsi

— MEKIran (@MEK_Iran) May 27, 2019

The MEK’s Opposition to the JCPOA

The MEK was instrumental in uncovering the mullahs’ nuclear program, which led to the sanctions which were lifted in 2015. Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President of the Iranian Resistance, along with the MEK, has always called for a firm position as the only language the religious dictatorship ruling Iran will understand. Nevertheless, there has been plenty of evidence that the regime has not been in full compliance with the agreement and posed a threat to global peace and security.

It is now clearer than ever that the Iranian regime cannot be trusted and that any negotiations are doomed to fail.

Staff writer

The Iranian regime’s Atomic Energy Organization announced on Monday that it will begin the next phase of its rollback to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. The regime will restart work at the Arak heavy water reactor facility as part of the latest reduction in its commitment to the deal.

The regime announced in April that it would no longer honor some of the terms of the JCPOA. Following this announcement, regime officials stated that Iran had quadrupled its production of low-enriched uranium.

The regime in #Iran never had the intention to abide by the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA.https://t.co/bl5sFDVPsL

— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 19, 2019

On May 8, 2018, the United States withdrew from the JCPOA, citing evidence that the regime was not in full compliance with its terms. The U.S. reimposed pre-2015 oil sanctions and tightened restrictions on imports of petrochemical products from the Iranian regime. Despite Europe’s efforts to save the deal, no country has been able to import oil without using the U.S. financial system and thus falling afoul of U.S. sanctions.

On the anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA this May, regime President Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran was withdrawing from the JCPOA and would no longer honor the terms of the deal.

A report aired on state-run television reported the news. “The Supreme National Security Council issued a statement in which it declared to the member states of the JCPOA that starting today, May 8, 2019, Iran will stop its measures under the agreement and will give a 60-day window to the countries remaining in the deal to implement their commitments, especially in the domain of banking and oil,” said the report.

The statement by the regime’s Security Council specifically noted that it would no longer restrict its production of enriched uranium or adhere to the restrictions on its heavy water stockpile. It also threatened that the regime would respond if its nuclear dossier were to be presented to the United Nations Security Council.

European Leaders Respond to the Regime

European officials were quick to react to the regime’s actions. On May 9th, the UK, French, and German Foreign Ministers, along with the EU Foreign Policy Chief, issued a joint statement declaring that Europe would not accept the 60-day ultimatum offered by Iran. The statement also reminded the Iranian regime of its commitments under the terms of the JCPOA.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian went further, warned the regime that resumption of its nuclear program would place Iran in breach of the JCPOA.

French President Emmanuel Macron gave a press conference on May 9th in which he stated that the JCPOA should be strengthened with complementary agreements that would address the regime’s ballistic missile program and its destabilizing activities in the Middle East.

Surprise and Complaints from the Regime

The Iranian regime was unprepared for the strong reaction from European officials. Until the May 8th announcement, EU leaders had hoped to bypass U.S. sanctions with an alternative payment system known as INSTEX. The financial tool would have allowed oil transactions to pass from European countries to the Iranian regime without going through U.S. banking institutions.

When the regime did not get the expected appeasement from the EU, it resorted to resentful complaints about the failure of INSTEX. Keyhan, a representative of regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, wrote, “We shouldn’t expect Europe to have the will to even launch a useless financial channel.”

MEK sources inside Iran initially uncovered the regime’s nuclear program at great personal risk, leading to the pre-2015 sanctions. The MEK supports a non-nuclear Iran as part of its political platform.

Staff writer

The Institute for Science and International Security, a think tank focused on nuclear proliferation, published a report on May 7, shedding light on the Iranian regime’s clandestine nuclear program. The report, entitled ‘Shock Wave Generator for Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program: More than a Feasibility Study’, used information previously revealed by the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK), to gather intelligence and build a greater understanding of the Iranian development and manufacturing of key nuclear weapon subcomponents.

THREAD
1
'Shock Wave Generator for #Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program:More than Feasibility Study’was released by @TheGoodISIS on May7,based on Iran’s nuke archives detailing development&manufacturing of key nuclear weapon subcomponent-“shock wave generator”https://t.co/u5nlEnPkCe

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 13, 2019

The Ahmad Plan

The report reveals that since the early 2000s, the Iranian regime has been active in the development of nuclear weapon subcomponents. The Ahmad Plan, as it was known, sought to develop a “shock wave generator”, a system designed to initiate a charge that would prompt weapons-grade uranium to achieve a supercritical mass and create a nuclear explosion.

The Ahmad Plan sought to develop five nuclear weapons using this technology. It also implemented the construction of an underground facility for nuclear testing. The report also indicated that the plan involved “at least one former member of the Soviet nuclear weapons program”, indicating that the clerical regime had the assistance of foreign agents.

Deep Cover

The report goes on to describe how after 2003, when the MEK and National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) exposed many of the regime’s clandestine nuclear activities, parts of the program were given cover stories.

4
Sanjarian site was first publicly identified in2009 by @Iran_policy,as “Research Center for Explosion&Impact”(METFAZ).#NCRI stated this site was developing high-explosive detonators for use in atomic bombs & manufacturing components for these detonation systems pic.twitter.com/wwc8KwH0V4

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 13, 2019

One such location was located near the village of Sanjarian. Known as the “Sanjarian facility”, the site was the location chosen to build the explosive components in the shock wave generator. After 2003, it was redesigned to appear to be a non-military facility carrying out non-military tests, hiding its true purpose.

However, in 2009, the NCRI and MEK sources got wind of the activities taking place at Sanjarian. The opposition revealed that the facility was engaged in the development of high-explosive detonators for use in nuclear weapons.

Staying One Step Ahead

More recently, the MEK confirmed that the regime had moved many of its activities out of Sanjarian. The opposition group concluded that the bulwark of the Iranian nuclear program was now being carried out in the Parchin military complex.

This is supported by satellite imagery of the Sanjarian facility, which appears less maintained than in previous years.

14
NCRI stated METFAZ in 2017 did not conduct these activities at Sanjarian,but conducted them at another location, identified as the “Research Academy” located in tunnels near Mamlo Dam north of Parchin High Explosive Test Chamber Facility

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) May 13, 2019

In 2017, the MEK published extensive findings on the Iranian nuclear weapons program. It revealed that the majority of its activities were now taking place in tunnels near Mamlo Dam north of the Parchin High Explosive Test Chamber Facility.

Ongoing Surveillance

The report concludes that moving forward, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must be permitted to regularly inspect Iran’s nuclear research sites, including Parchin and Sanjarian and examine any equipment and materials relating to the enrichment of uranium and development of shock wave generators.

The IAEA must also be granted permission to interview personnel involved in the shock wave generator project and characterize and understand the status of the project today.

The MEK will continue to work tirelessly to expose the Iranian regime’s nuclear activities. Since 1991, the resistance group has exposed some 100 secret nuclear projects and helped prevent the regime from fulfilling its nuclear ambitions.

 

 

 

 

It remains unclear exactly how Europe’s INSTEX financial mechanism will impact the Iranian regime. Originally developed as a way to circumvent US sanctions against the Iranian regime, INSTEX continues to baffle regime pundits and analysts.

For the Iranian regime’s state-run media, INSTEX does not go far enough. On May 7, the state-run media broadcasted the following analysis of Europe’s INSTEX program: “After the U.S. exited the JCPOA, the Europeans were supposed to provide for Iran’s interests under the JCPOA framework. However, after one year, Europeans did not want or could not cover those interests.”

Europe's Instex is a failed attempt at appeasing #Iran regime #IStandWithMaryamRajavi #FreeIran #MEK@EUCouncil @STRUANSTEVENSON https://t.co/A26qZxoyN0 via @upi

— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) February 15, 2019

The regime criticized Europe: “Europe promise was downgraded to a limited and narrow channel that hasn’t been made operational until now.” Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif echoed these criticisms, asserting that Europe had respected “only one percent of its obligations in real terms.”

The European Perspective

The European Union (EU) sees the situation differently. Federica Mogherini, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said: “We are obliged to fully respect all the obligations that are provided by the JCPOA and this must mean for the Iranians to respect all their nuclear obligations.”

The German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged the Iranian regime to understand the reality of the situation He said: “We’ve made it clear to Iran that we don’t have the capability to cover the losses of European companies who are hit by losses in their business with Iran because of the threat of U.S. sanctions.”

Hope for the Regime?

For Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, INSTEX is a source of hope for the regime. The regime has launched SATMA, its version of INSTEX to facilitate trade between Europe and the regime. He also suggested that SATMA would deal with other stakeholders including Russia and Turkey.

However, the state-run Mehr news agency is less hopeful. It saw Zarif’s optimism as a “bitter joke” and warned that INSTEX is still a pipe dream. “INSTEX is still limited to talk and registration and is far from implementation,” it said.

Tasnim news agency also expressed concerns that without a bank or financial institution willing to cooperate with INSTEX, the company would be unsuccessful in circumventing US sanctions. An unnamed economic official was quoted saying: “Unfortunately, the sanctions have resulted in a situation that no bank is ready to do business with Iran.”

“Now, three months after INSTEX was established, it appears that Iran and Iranian businessmen have got ‘nothing’ and INSTEX has not been able to open a route for trading between Iran and Europe,” Tasnim concluded.

One thing is clear from the debate raging over INSTEX: it will not be the silver bullet the regime was hoping to render US sanctions ineffective. Whatever happens, the US sanctions are biting and the regime’s future in power is looking more precarious by the day.

Staff writer

 

Iranian regime President Hassan Rouhani announced that the regime will partially withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal, a year after the United States exited the arrangement. He told the P5+1 nations that they had 60 days to renegotiate financial and oil deals. Failure to do so would result in the regime’s partial withdrawal.

International Condemnation

Several governments condemned the announcement, including France’s Defence Minister Florence Parly.

Mohammad Mohaddessin, the chairman of the foreign affairs committee for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) stated in a tweet that “Stockpiling enriched uranium and heavy water are violations of JCPOA and the UNSC Resolution 2231. It shows the need to total shut down of enrichment, heavy water, and all nuclear sites, exposing military aspects of the nuclear project, and snap inspections of all sites more imperative.”

2-3 Subsequent to temporary agreement with P5+1 on Nov. 2013 Mrs. Rajavi said that the full implementation of the #UNSC Resolutions, in particular complete stop of enrichment & free access to the IAEA inspectors are necessary step to prevent mullahs from obtaining the bomb. #Iran

— Mohammad Mohaddessin (@Mohaddessin) May 8, 2019

Referring to President-elect Maryam Rajavi, leader of the Iranian opposition’s message Subsequent to the temporary nuclear agreement with P5+1 on Nov. 2013 Mohaddessin reminded that “the full implementation of the #UNSC Resolutions, in particular, complete stop of enrichment, and free access to the IAEA inspectors are necessary steps to prevent mullahs from obtaining the bomb.”

Free Access to Inspectors

Mohaddessin’s comments highlight concerns often cited by the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK). The Iranian opposition has frequently expressed concerns over the nuclear deal and claimed that the Iranian regime continued to secretly enrich Uranium in pursuit of developing nuclear weapons.

During last December uprisings and on various other occasions, the Iranian public has expressed their quest for the regime to abandon its pursuit of atomic weapons. The relentless investment in missile capabilities and nuclear programs is a drain on Iranian resources and finances. At a time when the country is on the brink of economic collapse and more than 70% of Iranians live in poverty, it is an unnecessary and wasteful expense.

“It is a tool to survive religious fascism which is faced with popular outrage and is on the verge of the overthrow,” Mohaddessin said in a Tweet.

3-3 Iranian people demand ending all of the regime’s nuclear apparatus which is against their interest. It wastes Iran’s resources, destroys its economy. It is a tool to survive religious fascism which is faced with popular outrage and is on the verge of overthrow. #Iran

— Mohammad Mohaddessin (@Mohaddessin) May 8, 2019

In the face of mounting domestic protests, the regime has resorted to increasing military spending and missile development to expand the tools of repression in its arsenal. It relies on violent organs like the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) and Quds forces to maintain its grip on power. Abandoning its pursuit of nuclear weapons would be a major blow to the regime’s hegemonic ambitions in the region.

Staff writer

Lord Ken Maginnis, who sits in the United Kingdom’s Parliamentary House of Lords, called out European leaders who wish to preserve the status quo with Iran as “divorced from reality.”

The diversion between US and European attitudes towards the Iranian regime has appeared since the Trump administration took office. Under President Trump, the US has adopted a firmer stance towards the Iranian regime over its support of international terror and blatant human rights abuses. The President pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and re-introduced economic sanctions.

However, Europe has been reluctant to follow the US’s lead. Many UK, French, and German lawmakers believe salvaging the Iranian nuclear deal is preferable to slapping economic restrictions on the Iranian regime and cutting off Iranian markets. Maginnis writes, “what they fail to take into account is the strong possibility that this and any other deal may be rendered null and void anyway, by domestically driven regime change.”

A Year of Unrest

2018 represented a year of unrest for the Iranian regime. What began in the nationwide uprising of December 2017, continued across all 31 provinces of Iran in the form of isolated protests among workers, teachers, students, merchants, truck drivers, investors, pensioners, and farmers.

Each time a protest emerged, and Iranians took to the streets, the regime responded with brutality and violence, imprisoning thousands of Iranians and torturing and executing many.  “But this did not prevent Iranians in countless localities from returning to the streets over and over again throughout 2018 to repeat provocative anti-government slogans and give shape to what was described as a “year full of uprisings” by Maryam Rajavi, the leader-in-exile of Iran’s democratic resistance movement,” Maginnis writes.

A Ten-Point Plan for Democracy

Mrs. Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran(NCRI), has a ten-point plan for restoring democracy in Iran. Her plan would see an Iranian government with democratic legitimacy, committed to the values of equality, secularism, and religious freedom.

What Europe fails to see is that Mrs. Rajavi’s dream is approaching reality. Demonstrations, both within Iran and abroad, are increasing in frequency and size. The MEK now has a host of support from prominent international politicians, including Donald Trump’s personal lawyer and former mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, and the National Security Advisor, John Bolton.

Last week, this was on display when governments from around the world convened in Warsaw at the behest of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the Iranian threat. As the politicians convened, the MEK and its supporters staged protests to call on Europe to protect their national security interests, help bring stability to the Middle East, and protect the abused and downtrodden Iranian population by adopting a firmer stance towards the Iranian regime.

Lord Ken Maginnis:
Iran’s democratic resistance movement can no longer be ignored @EURACTIV https://t.co/pO2qnDoeR8#IStandWithMaryamRajavi 4 #IranRegimeChange & #FreeIran@usadarfarsi @eu_eeas

— Florence Nightingale❌❌❌ (@FlorenceIran) February 25, 2019

It is in Europe’s interests to do so. Maginnis charts the increased threat of Iranian state-sponsored terrorism poses to those across the globe. The regime was involved in terror plots on French, American and Albanian soil last year. It was also behind attempted assassinations in the Netherlands and Denmark. As the regime becomes more violent in the face of mounting internal challenges, Maginnis argues that to ignore the escalating Iranian threat is to be “divorced from reality.”

“The notion of internal moderation by the existing regime has been proved over 40 years to be a fantasy,” he writes. “But now that [the] regime is clinging to power with all the violence at its disposal, the long-term survival of that regime is revealing itself to be a fantasy as well.”

Maginnis is clear that he is not calling for the US and Europe to interfere in Iranian affairs to bring about regime change. He decries imposing regime change on a country that “is not ready for it.” But he is also clear to point out that Iran is increasingly resembling a country that is ready for it. By “encouraging support for the Iranian people who, under the leadership of the NCRI (National Council of Resistance of Iran) and Maryam Rajavi, have been making great strides toward democracy on their own.”

Maginnis concludes that it is becoming impossible to ignore the voices of the Iranian people who are overwhelmingly calling for regime change in the country. He asserts, “it is now time for the careless UK and European politicians to recognize the legitimacy of the Iranian Resistance and to help it in achieving its democratic aims.” He concludes, “it is long past the time for the reluctant UK and European Press to grapple with the moral reality of having downplayed the 40 years of pseudo-religious persecution of a people who know better, seek better, and deserve better.”

Staff Writer

 

The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) released a statement on Wednesday regarding the Iranian regime’s efforts to conceal the extent of its nuclear weapons program prior to the signing of the Iran nuclear deal in 2015 and the continued development of its nuclear program after the deal was signed.

#Iran Regime's Lies &Concealments in Atomic Projects After the #Nuclear Agreement https://t.co/3Lqmop8TQe #IranDeal #FreeIran

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 30, 2019

Regime Concealed Nuclear Equipment

The NCRI statement contains damning quotes from a high-ranking regime official who confesses to concealing evidence of nuclear equipment. In an interview on Iranian state television on January 22, 2019, the regime’s head of the Atomic Agency Ali Akbar Salehi confessed that the mullahs had hidden some of the nuclear equipment banned by the agreement.

“We had bought similar tubes to the ones that go through them there,” he said, referring to nuclear equipment, “but I could not declare them at the time. Only one person knew about it in Iran.” Salehi went on to say. “Only the highest authority of the regime [Ali Khamenei] was aware of this and no one else … His Holiness had said that you should be careful about these people (P5+1). They are not trustworthy and won’t keep to their promises. Well, we had to work smartly and intelligently. In addition to not breaking the bridges behind us, we also had to build a bridge that would enable us to go faster if we were to go back. It was a tube of two or three centimeters in diameter and three or four meters long … We had bought similar tubes, the same quantity, we were told to fill the main tubes with cement, so we poured cement in those tubes … but we did not say that we had other tubes because if we did, they would have said, ‘Sir, pour cement in those as well. We are going to use the same tubes now. Now we have those tubes.’”

The statement also quotes from another interview given by Salehi. In a January 30th interview with the state-run IRNA news agency, Salehi, said, “We had some substitute parts and bought some more, and these were not against the rules. There was no need to announce that we have substitute tubes.” Salehi explained that the subterfuge and concealment of equipment were done by order of regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He continued: “We have to be alert and calculate the process of possible return. In other words, we should not eliminate all the bridges behind us.”

The Iranian Resistance had already divulged the mullahs’ hoax to conceal their nuclear arms and missile programs in Natanz, Arak, Parchin, Lavizan, Fordow, and SPND organization. The IAEA and former US administrations are aware.#Iran

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) January 30, 2019

According to the NCRI statement, Salehi’s words make it clear that the regime entered into the nuclear deal with the intention of falsifying and concealing its activities and gaining additional opportunities to develop a nuclear weapon.

Previous Warnings by the NCRI

When the 2015 Iran nuclear deal was signed, Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the NCRI, warned that the mullahs had no intention of ceasing their nuclear ambitions. In a July 14, 2015 statement, she said, “This agreement does not close the mullahs’ path to deception and access to a nuclear bomb.”

On July14,2015 @Maryam_Rajavi warned that #IranDeal won't close the mullahs’ path to #nuclear bomb.She also warned:"Any leniency, hesitancy &concessions by the intl community will prompt Khamenei to move toward manufacturing through deception and cheating.”https://t.co/E4ori7RwMz

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 30, 2019

Mrs. Rajavi also warned about Khamenei’s ill intentions on November 24, 2013, saying, “Any leniency, hesitancy, and concessions by the international community will prompt Khamenei to once again move toward manufacturing through deception and cheating.”

Rouhani’s Confessions

The NCRI statement also noted that regime President Hassan Rouhani mentioned the regime’s nuclear program in his book, “National Security and Nuclear Diplomacy,” which also alluded to the MEK’s discovery of the mullahs’ nuclear program and subsequent sanctions. He wrote: “In 2002, the activities were moving in a calm atmosphere, but the Mujahedin [MEK] suddenly made a lot of noise by making false accusations… while our Atomic Energy Organization wanted to … notify the IAEA in a fait accompli.”

Rouhani furthered this confession in a public speech, in which he “revealed how Teheran played for time and tried to dupe the West after its secret nuclear programme was uncovered by the Iranian opposition in 2002,” according to a March 5, 2006 article in the Sunday Telegraph.

Staff Writer

On Tuesday, the Iranian regime’s nuclear chief made a shocking statement in an interview on the Face to Face television show. Ali Akbar Salehi said outright that the Iranian regime would continue activities at its heavy water plant in Arak, transfer 30 tons of yellowcake uranium to its conversion facility in Natanz, and build two new nuclear power reactors in Bushehr Province. This is despite Iran’s continued participation in the 2015 nuclear deal.

How we duped the West, by Iran's nuclear negotiator | via @Telegraph http://t.co/6cFnxY3raJ Rouhani lied before; remember this?

— Tony Duheaume (@TonyDuheaume) April 30, 2015

According to Salehi, Iran can do this because the nuclear deal has a number of technical flaws that the regime can exploit. He also said that the photographs of the existing nuclear reactor in Iran filled with cement were photoshopped. These images were taken and widely circulated as evidence that the reactor was unusable and therefore in compliance with the terms of the nuclear deal. Salehi claimed that Iran was never technically required to seal the reactor.

 

Salehi continued: “Iran has lost nothing as a result of signing the agreement and history will prove this. We have preserved our capabilities in the field of enrichment. We are…continuing to manufacture new centrifuges. We are doing everything we need to do.”

Behrooz Kamalvandi, a representative for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, also publicly stated that Iran’s nuclear program is ongoing, saying that the Arak facility is currently being redesigned with financial assistance from China. Kamalvandi said that these plans would not change even if the nuclear plan fell apart. China is a signatory of the nuclear deal.

The MEK’s Opposition to the Nuclear Deal

Sanctions were originally imposed upon Iran’s oil industry because the international community became aware of the regime’s nuclear program. This discovery was made by MEK supporters inside Iran who smuggled information about the regime’s nuclear activities outside of the country at great personal risk.

NCRI Revelation: Activities Continue at Organization Responsible for Work on Nuclear Weapons. #Iran #irandeal https://t.co/exL4omD6jv pic.twitter.com/x4pzx7V7ZG

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) April 21, 2017

When the 2015 Iran nuclear deal was proposed, the MEK vocally opposed the deal, stating that the regime had never ceased their nuclear program and would not comply with the terms of the deal. The MEK has continued to oppose the nuclear deal and has been adamant in stating that Iran’s nuclear program is still active and poses a threat to the global community.

All of the Benefits with None of the Restrictions

 

Salehi’s statement has left many questioning the Iranian regime’s intentions. Why would the regime admit that it intends to create new nuclear facilities and materials, why would it claim to have falsified evidence that it rendered its reactor unusable, and why would it do so now?

 

Simply put, the Iranian regime never ceased its nuclear program, nor did it end its ambition to create nuclear weapons. The process has accelerated significantly because of the recent domestic and international crises facing the mullahs, including the widespread protests taking place inside the country and the blacklisting of the regime’s Intelligence Ministry by the E.U. in response to a series of attempted terrorist attacked by Iranian agents in Europe last year.

Regime Officials Respond to EU Blacklisting of MOIS Agents with Threats and Finger Pointing

Since the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal last year, Iran’s oil exports have dropped to under one million barrels per day.
This is despite the regime’s efforts to solicit the aid of the E.U. in retaining international buyers. The E.U. has been less than helpful in this pursuit so far, causing the regime’s Foreign Ministry to walk out of a meeting with E.U. representatives on January 8th. The regime, finding itself in a desperate position, is now using the strategy it most commonly employs when cornered: threats.

Salehi claimed earlier this month that Iran had the capability to increase its uranium enrichment by 20% within four days. A few days ago, the regime made a failed attempt to launch satellites into space using technology that could be used to launch a nuclear warhead.

 

Some supporters of regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that Iran should withdraw from the nuclear deal completely. Regime President Hassan Rouhani and his supporters say that Iran should remain part of the deal. Salehi’s statements provide a compromise for the two factions. Hassan Rouhani’s faction can claim the victory of keeping the benefits of remaining part of the nuclear deal, while Khamenei’s faction can ignore the restrictions, essentially violating the spirit of the deal.

Staff Writer