Translated by S-Yaqubi_According to Naba Khabar_Iran has chosen to reduce its commitments to influence the new U.S. president and lead Biden to reconsider his international affairs priorities after taking office on January 20. In particular, it is said that the Biden government intends to prioritize the crisis with China, and the issue of Iran is one of its next priorities.
The announcement of the production of 20% enriched uranium in Iran’s Fordow nuclear facilities, the commencement of construction of one thousand IR2 and IR6 centrifuges, and their installation at Fordow facilities in the coming months are apparently in line with the Iranian government’s implementation of the “Strategic steps to lift sanctions” law which previously created a real crisis between the executive power and the legislative power, and led to the intervention of Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Revolution.
The increase in enrichment is also in line with what the Iranian president said two months ago about the latest step in a series of steps approved by the government and the Supreme National Security Council to reduce Iran’s compliance with its obligations under the nuclear deal.
The final step consisted of two stages: installing advanced centrifuges at the Fordow facilities in the first stage and the injection of uranium hexafluoride gas into it in the second stage; apparently, Iran has started the second phase while Donald Trump left the White House and Joe Biden arrived.
The remaining military tensions from the Donald Trump era have put the Middle East on the brink of explosion. Israel will take action against any move by Tehran to militarize its nuclear program. Hence, Washington will have to prioritize dealing with the crisis with Iran.
The new U.S. president has two options: 1. Refraining from raising other issues in negotiations with Iran over a nuclear deal, and negotiate only to return to conditions before the U.S. withdrawal from JCPOA, including the abandonment of 20 percent uranium enrichment; 2. Insisting on raising other issues in negotiations with Iran, so Iran’s nuclear program may hurry toward militarization, which would increase the possibility of military confrontation and war between the two sides.
