Iran has managed to enter the global nuclear markets successfully, as announced by the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), showcasing significant progress in their nuclear technology capabilities despite facing ongoing international sanctions.
The Background
In a recent interview with Khamenei.ir, Eslami, the AEOI chief, highlighted Iran’s efforts to break the nuclear technology monopoly. The country has made strides in manufacturing and exporting nuclear products like heavy water and radiopharmaceuticals, now available on the global market.
This development unfolds amidst tensions surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and global scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran Watch reports that Iran has amassed a substantial supply of highly enriched uranium, ample for crafting multiple nuclear bombs. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms Iran’s possession of crucial components for nuclear weapons, including advanced centrifuges and uranium enriched to almost weapons-grade levels.
These advancements in nuclear capabilities occur against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The Israel-Hamas conflict, which erupted in October 2023, has escalated regional tensions significantly.
Iran’s alleged support for Hamas complicates matters further, with Hamas leaders openly acknowledging Iran’s military and financial backing in their conflict with Israel.
Additionally, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have carried out intense attacks on Red Sea shipping, described by the U.S. Navy as the most brutal combat since World War II.
The Revelations
Eslami stated in an interview with the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the works of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, that several countries are purchasing Iranian heavy water and availing services from Iranian experts.
Eslami affirmed, “Our nuclear technology capabilities enable us to offer services and products on the global stage.”
He added, “With our production potential, we can export radiopharmaceuticals worldwide.”
In the same interview, Eslami highlighted Iran’s right to reduce JCPOA commitments in response to violations by other parties, potentially alluding to the U.S.’s exit from the JCPOA in 2018.
Eslami addressed JCPOA tensions, emphasizing the mutual obligations under the treaty. He lauded the effectiveness of the Strategic Action Law for the Removal of Sanctions, asserting that it has steered Iran closer to its objectives. This law, according to Tehran Times, serves as a countermeasure against efforts to impede Iran’s nuclear sector.