Alwaght-Iran has reacted firmly by increasing it nuclear activities after the United States violated an international nuclear pact known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
A renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act took effect Thursday despite outgoing President Barack Obama’s decision to let the legislation become law without his signature.
Several days back, the legislation was passed overwhelmingly in Congress with support from both Republicans and Democrats. Iran has swiftly responded to this hostile act with the country’s president issuing and order on calling for the development of a nuclear-powered system for ships.
On Tuesday, President Rouhani ordered Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to prepare a project for development of both reactors for maritime use and fuel production for this purpose in three months.
Nuclear propulsion uses a nuclear power reactor to generate electricity on a vessel. Such systems are best known for their use on strategic nuclear submarines, which allow them to stay submerged for weeks avoiding detection. Nuclear propulsion is also used on some big surface ships like aircraft carriers or icebreakers.
In a separate directive issued to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, President Rouhani instructed Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to take action to follow up on the US violations of the JCPOA as per the provisions of the deal and to take other legal and international measures necessary in that regard.
JCPOA was signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany in July 2015.
Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.
The decision by the US Congress to impose additional nuclear-related sanctions on Iran is violation of the JCPOA on the part of Washington.
Iran Committed to Nuclear Deal
Iran has continued to fulfill its obligations to the international community as far as the nuclear deal is concerned but will jealously guard its inalienable rights. The Islamic Republic is ready to persevere the so-called crippling sanctions but maintain its nuclear rights.
President Rouhani administration will maintain a policy of constructive engagement with the world while moving in tandem with the general strategies of the Islamic Revolution.
While the Rouhani administration successfully negotiated with six world powers on the nuclear pact, but at the same time has resolutely stated that it will not tolerate any US violation of the landmark agreement. It is within this context that Rouhani has ordered expeditious execution of the country’s peaceful nuclear programs. The rapid reaction by Iran to violations of JCPOA carries a vital message to the international community.
First, while the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to its obligations, the country will not allow its rights to be trampled upon and no amount pressure and sanctions can dissuade it from pursuing its rights.
Nuclear Issue Unifies Iranian Nation
Secondly, whichever administration comes to power in Iran will not give in to US bullying and conducts its activities according to the general strategies of the Islamic Revolution. There had been misplaced analysis in the West that a ‘moderate’ Rouhani administration will be softer on US excesses forgetting that he is committed to the principles of the Islamic Revolution.
Another important factor is Iran’s phenomenal progress in nuclear technology by relying on Iranian scientists. Despite reducing its nuclear activities as per the JCPOA pact, Iran is able to immediately propel its nuclear capacity to the pinnacle without external assistance.
Finally, there is a consensus across the political spectrum in Iran on the country’s nuclear program and on action to be taken following the US violation of JCPOA.
All political factions in Iran, be they principalists, moderates or centrists, are united in protecting the nation’s achievements in the nuclear industry and having a firm response to US belligerence. The nuclear issue continues to be a unifying factor for all political factions in the country.
