BICOM

Iran is refusing to compromise with the P5+1 on the majority of the key issues in the ongoing nuclear talks, according to Israel’s Intelligence and Strategy Minister Yuval Steinitz.

Speaking to Israel Hayom, Steinitz revealed that Iran has refused to move on seven out of the eight points being discussed in the negotiations between Iran and the USA, UK, France, Germany, China and Russia. He concluded that if, as claimed, a “deal is close” then this could only be due to the P5+1 being willing to back down on these points.

Mr Steinitz listed the eight points of contention as:

1. The number of active centrifuges Iran will be allowed to keep.
2. Reduction of uranium enrichment.
3. Dismantling of Iran’s existing nuclear infrastructure.
4. Research and development of new advanced centrifuges.
5. The Arak nuclear facility.
6. The Fordo enrichment site.
7. Development of ballistic missiles.
8. Potential military uses of nuclear technology.

He said that of these eight points, Iran has only been willing to seriously discuss reducing its stocks of enriched uranium. Steinitz also expressed concern that the planned nuclear agreement would only last for a decade, after which Iran would be a threshold nuclear state with the capacity to quickly switch into mass weapons production. He called instead for a multi-decade agreement.

Iran is in negotiations with the P5+1 to produce a deal which would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons in return for sanctions relief. A framework deal is due to be completed by 1 March with a final deal on 1 July. Israel has repeated expressed concern that the P5+1 is heading towards a “bad deal” with Iran, which could see sanctions lifted while leaving Iran a path towards nuclear weapons.