The files we follow: Relations between Iran and its Neighboring Countries; Relations between Iran and the United States; Relations between Iran and the BRICS; Relations between Turkey and the European Union; Relations between Turkey and the BRICS.
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On Wednesday 23 April, the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington published a report on the new security perimeters put in place around the Iranian base on Mount Kolang Gaz La in Natanz. This new security perimeter now includes the peaks of the mountain, and joins the perimeters already in place around the nearby uranium enrichment complex. The satellite images presented and the analysis produced by the institute also show an underground complex consisting of two tunnel entrances, which according to David Albright, President of the institute, have not been visited by the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The first underground complex was built before 2007, while the second entrance is more recent.
Among other things, the report notes with concern the extent of progress made in developing the area, highlighting in particular the imminent completion of a uranium centrifuge assembly facility. Pointing out that none of the 6,000 machines produced over the past year at the Natanz and Fordow sites have been monitored and assessed by the IAEA, the report states that a few thousand units could be deployed at the end of the construction phase. David Albright also said that the new security perimeter in place meant that the complex would be operational very soon. According to the Iranian government, the purpose of this infrastructure is purely civilian. However, international opinion is divided on this point and doubts remain as to Tehran’s real objectives.
This report highlights the idea that the Iranian authorities wish to secure the infrastructure against potential intrusion, against a backdrop of uncertain negotiations with the US administration, a new phase of which is scheduled for Saturday. The Islamic Republic had previously proposed allowing the Chinese and Russian governments to take charge of supervising the nuclear programme. However, this proposal was rejected by the United States: ‘It is clear that the United States will not accept Russian or Chinese control. In addition to IAEA inspectors, Washington should demand additional monitors. […] The United States should demand the withdrawal from Iranian territory of the advanced centrifuges used for rapid enrichment’, a US official told the newspaper Israel Hayom. The outcome of the talks is therefore still uncertain.
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