Diplomacy: Iran wants to expand uranium production – new talks planned

Tehran has revealed detailed plans to expand its nuclear facilities. The government wants to install several thousand additional centrifuges for uranium enrichment and put thousands of already installed centrifuges into operation, as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced in Vienna.

At a round of talks between government representatives from Iran, Germany, Great Britain and France in Geneva, there was reportedly little movement towards de-escalation in the nuclear dispute.

“We would like to continue the path of dialogue and exchange,” wrote Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kasem Gharibabadi on the X platform. It was agreed in Geneva to “continue the diplomatic dialogue in the near future,” wrote the Foreign Office in Berlin on X. Laut In addition to the nuclear program, sanctions, the situation in the Middle East and bilateral issues were discussed in the ministry.

The conversation in Geneva took place at the level of political directors in the Foreign Ministry. Günter Sautter was there from the German side. There were similar rounds recently in New York. It was announced in advance from the capitals that, in addition to the nuclear program, the situation in the Middle East would also be discussed. Iran, in turn, was also interested in taking steps to reduce sanctions.

Iran says it is not seeking nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, the country produces highly enriched uranium that could be converted into material suitable for nuclear weapons with little effort.

The centrifuges that are to be set up and switched on also include particularly powerful devices, as the IAEA announced. Tehran had already publicly announced its latest nuclear plans after the three European states and the United States voted on a resolution critical of Iran in the IAEA.