Iran Can Obtain Up to 20 Percent Enriched Uranium Within Two Days, Abbas Araqchi

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on September 4 that Tehran would return to the full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding its nuclear program if it receives a $15 billion loan.

“From our perspective, the return to the full implementation of the nuclear deal depends on whether we will receive the $15 billion loan within four months. Otherwise, we will continue to reduce our commitments under the nuclear deal,” Araqchi's remarks were quoted by the Fars agency.

On September 3, Behrouz Kamalvandi, a representative of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, announced that Iran could obtain up to 20 percent enriched uranium within two days. “If Iran decides to proceed, it can obtain up to 20 percent enriched uranium within one or two days,” the official stated.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, speaking at the Majlis (Iranian parliament) on September 3, said Tehran would announce the third phase of its reduction of commitments under the nuclear deal on September 5 if negotiations with Europe do not yield results by that time. He added that “in any case, Iran will continue negotiations.”

On August 30, The Wall Street Journal reported that diplomats from EU countries support French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to allow Iran to sell a certain volume of oil in exchange for several significant commitments. According to the publication, the possibility of allowing Tehran to sell approximately 700,000 barrels of oil per day was discussed, as well as providing the country with a loan of around $15 billion. In return, Iran may be required to fully comply with all terms of the nuclear deal, and possibly undertake some additional commitments, TASS reported.