BICOM

In an interview with Washington Post commentator David Ignatius, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif indicated Tehran has no intention of halting work at the Arak or Fordow plants.

Under the terms of the interim agreement concluded between the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iran in Geneva last month, Iran is expected to pause aspects of its nuclear programme during the coming six months in return for a relaxation of some sanctions. Specifically, this includes the suspension of work at the Arak heavy water reactor, where it is feared plutonium is being produced, which can be utilised to make nuclear warheads.

In his interview with Ignatius, Zarif commented on Arak, “We cannot roll back the clock 20 years and ask Iran to simply get rid of a project that has been the subject of a great deal of human and material investment.” This appeared to be at odds with US President Obama, who last week told the Saban policy forum in Washington, that for a peaceful nuclear programme, “they [Iran] don’t need an underground enrichment plant in Fordow, certainly not a heavy water plant in Arak.”

Zarif also addressed the Fordow enrichment plant, where 20 per cent uranium is thought to be refined, just a small technical step away from weapons-grade material. Zarif said “if you insist that I should dismantle Fordow, or do something with Fordow, that means that somebody has an intention of a military strike.”

Meanwhile, Catherine Ashton, who heads the P5+1 forum will meet today with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister to continue discussions on implementing the Geneva deal. Yesterday, the European Union said it would lift sanctions specified in the Geneva agreement after international inspectors have verified Iran has met its commitments. Foreign Secretary William Hague commented, “We must maintain our vigilance on sanctions and maintain the sanctions that we aren’t suspending so that Iran has a clear incentive to make a comprehensive deal.”