Iran: continued development of an indigenous nuclear fuel cycle and weapons capability ...

The Ukrainian crisis: 

A ‘divine blessing’ for Iran?

by J. Matthew McInnis

From the outset of the nuclear negotiations the Supreme Leader has made it clear that there is no wiggle room on Iran’s right to enrich. At the next round of talks on May 13th in Vienna, Iran’s negotiating team will come to the table with an additional six red lines from Khamenei himself (the most notable of these being that “nuclear scientific movement must not cease nor slow down whatsoever”) that would allow for the continued development of an indigenous nuclear fuel cycle and weapons capability.

The interim deal does not call for the dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. This has resulted in a number of critical conservative hardliners significantly toning down their rhetoric. In fact, IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari – who initially ardently opposed negotiations – has urged the negotiations team to exploit the ambiguities of the Joint Plan of Action to ensure an agreement that reinforces the Islamic Republic’s national interests. The West shouldn’t expect much, if any, give on Iran’s position at the upcoming talks following Khamenei’s April 30th remarks in which he stressed the importance of national “strength”:

Whenever we stand up on our own feet and we become strong, they are forced to behave politely and rationally…The irrational behaviors of the world bullying powers against the Islamic Republic of Iran depend on Iran’s weakness or strength.

Read more: www.aei-ideas.org