White House criticises Iran’s ‘provocative’ uranium enrichment announcement
14 April, 2021
The US on Tuesday criticised Iran’s announcement that it could increase its uranium enrichment level to 60 % purity after a cyber attack at its Natanz nuclear site, which it blamed on Israel.
White Property press secretary Jen Psaki said the united states took the “provocative” announcement seriously.
Ms Psaki said it raised queries about “Iran’s seriousness in regards to to the nuclear talks” that are set to resume this week found in Vienna.
She said that the European, Russian and Chinese companions in the talks “ought to be unified in rejecting” the announcement.
“This task both calls into question Iran’s seriousness in regards to to the nuclear talks and underscores the imperative of returning to mutual compliance with the [nuclear deal],” Ms Psaki said.
“We've been engaged in what we felt was constructive dialogue the other day, even as it had been indirect, in Vienna."
She said the talks were were difficult and the united states expected them to be lengthy.
But Ms Psakis said the White House was not told of any change in attendance at the meetings this week.
Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi over Tuesday said Tehran would get started 60 % uranium enrichment, further moving the 3.67 % cap laid out in the 2015 nuclear package between Tehran and world powers.
Iran had already increased its uranium enrichment level to 20 % this time, continuing to add to its breaches of the accord since ex - US president Donald Trump withdrew from it found in 2018.
The Biden administration has offered to lift the most crippling Trump-era sanctions on Iran should Tehran return to its commitments under the deal.
But Mr Araghchi as well announced on Tuesday that Iran would insert another 1,000 advanced centrifuges, in addition to replacing those damaged in the Natanz cyber strike.
Ms Psaki also repeated that the US was not mixed up in Natanz attack.
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged on Monday that US determination to nuclear diplomacy with Iran would continue after a visit with Primary Minister Benjamin Netanyahu found in Israel.
The alleged Israeli procedure took place in the middle of Mr Austin’s visit.
The Biden administration’s Iran co-ordinator, Robert Malley, is expected to go back to Vienna to resume talks this week.
The Iranians have refused to meet up directly with the Americans, therefore the two sides have relayed their messages through European partners.
US and Russian diplomats offered a positive assessment following the inaugural circular of talks the other day, prior to the Natanz attack.
Source: www.thenationalnews.com
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