China News Service, January 5, reported that due to increased tension with the Trump administration, Iranian government spokesman Rabie said on the 4th that Iran restarted its nuclear activities at the Fordo nuclear facility.
President-elect Biden declined to comment on this.
The Iranian side insists that if the United States lifts sanctions, Iran's current measures are "completely reversible."
Data map: Nuclear reactor of Iran's Arak Heavy Water Plant.
According to reports, at the end of November 2020, Iranian nuclear scientist Fahrizad was killed in an attack, and tensions between Iran and the United States, Israel and other countries intensified.
Hardliners in Iran’s political circles vowed to take countermeasures, and the Iranian Parliament later passed the "Anti-Sanctions Strategy Law."
The law stipulates that the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization is obliged to produce and store at least 120 kilograms of enriched uranium with an abundance of 20% each year for peaceful purposes.
A few days ago, Iranian President Rouhani issued relevant orders to implement the law.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Iran has implemented measures to increase the abundance of enriched uranium to 20% at the Fordo nuclear facility.
In response to this, the US government said that Iran is carrying out "nuclear blackmail" activities.
The US ally in the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, stated that Iran’s move is aimed at developing nuclear weapons and Israel will never allow it.
Data map: Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif
On the other hand, Reuters reported that Iran’s Foreign Minister Zarif stated that Iran’s move was a countermeasure against US sanctions. If the United States lifts sanctions, Iran’s measures will also be “fully reversible”.
The BBC said that some experts believe that Iran’s move is to put pressure on Biden. Biden has said that as long as Iran no longer conducts nuclear activities and promises further negotiations, he will consider rejoining the Iran nuclear agreement.
On the 4th local time, the Biden transition team declined to comment on Iran’s restart of uranium enrichment activities.
According to previous reports, in July 2015, Iran reached a comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue with the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany.
According to the agreement, Iran promised to limit its nuclear program and the international community lifted sanctions against Iran.
In May 2018, the US government unilaterally withdrew from the Iran nuclear agreement, and subsequently restarted and added a series of sanctions against Iran.
Since May 2019, Iran has gradually suspended the implementation of some terms of the agreement.