U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said today it was premature to talk about easing sanctions on Iran until the Iranians show tangible evidence that they are moving away from nuclear weapons capacity. Lew made the comments during an appearance at NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.
“It is premature to talk about any changes… What I am saying is we need to see that they are taking the steps to move away from having nuclear weapons capacity… We need to see real, tangible evidence of it, and we will not make moves in the sanctions until we see those kinds of moves,” Lew said. (NBC, 20 October)
“We need to see (the Iranians) rolling back their nuclear program, and I can tell you that when the time comes, when those movements come… changes (related to sanctions) will have to be proportionate,” Lew added.
On Saturday, Tehran’s hard right Mashreq news site had reported that during the Geneva talks on Tuesday and Wednesday, the P5+1 had asked Iran to slow production of low-enriched uranium at Natanz and Fordo, and limiting its stockpile to 10,000 kg (22,000 pounds). The P5+1 also wanted Iran to stop enriching uranium at 20-percent purity and convert its current stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium into fuel rod for its research reactor, which would not be suitable for nuclear weapons production.
Mashreq also reported that the P5+1 wanted Iran to sign IAEA’s Additional Protocol, allowing its inspectors to much more closely monitor the country’s nuclear program. The website did not say if delaying the completion of Arak plutonium-based reactor was also part of P5+1 demands, as already reported elsewhere.
On Saturday, Tehran’s hard right Mashreq news site had reported that during the Geneva talks on Tuesday and Wednesday, the P5+1 had asked Iran to slow production of low-enriched uranium at Natanz and Fordo, and limiting its stockpile to 10,000 kg (22,000 pounds). The P5+1 also wanted Iran to stop enriching uranium at 20-percent purity and convert its current stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium into fuel rod for its research reactor, which would not be suitable for nuclear weapons production.
Mashreq also reported that the P5+1 wanted Iran to sign IAEA’s Additional Protocol, allowing its inspectors to much more closely monitor the country’s nuclear program. The website did not say if delaying the completion of Arak plutonium-based reactor was also part of P5+1 demands, as already reported elsewhere.
However, the report by Mashreq and Secretary Lew’s comments today support previous speculations that if Iran could positively and verifiably show that it will dismantle any nuclear capabilities that could be used in building the bomb, the West is ready to recognize a peaceful program build around construction of nuclear power reactors.
