On Monday, the Iranian regime’s Supreme Leader finally responded to the US decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal.
Ali Khamenei’s remarks came nearly four weeks after President Trump announced that the US would no longer be a party to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and after European leaders were unable to offer the regime guarantees that US sanctions would not affect their trade relations.
Khamenei ordered the regime’s nuclear agency to take steps to carry out a major increase in uranium enrichment.
“The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran must make the necessary arrangements to reach 190,000 SWU in the framework provided by the JCPOA and must begin some other preparations that the honorable president has ordered beginning tomorrow," he said.
He described “progress on nuclear technology and missile power” as the regime’s “point of strength,” adding that, “constructing various types of missiles and acquiring missile power guarantees the country's security.”
One possibility is that Khamenei has decided to expand the regime’s nuclear activities, and his remarks may be the first step to its withdrawal from the JCPOA.
Another possibility is that his remarks are simply a bargaining chip and empty threats aimed at forcing the EU to give more concessions to the regime. What makes this possibility more likely is that Khamenei’s measured remarks specifically stated that expansion of nuclear activity must be within the “framework” of the JCPOA.
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