Washington seems eager to close the matter • Instead of the sword remaining on the necks of the Iranians, who are groaning under the sanctions, the Americans actually feel stressed
Iranian President Rouhani and US President Biden // Photo: Reuters
Tehran's announcement that it has begun enriching uranium using advanced centrifuges was a continuation of the blackmail show it has been conducting in recent months with the United States. Although the enrichment is currently underway in a small number of advanced IR-6 centrifuges, it is another violation of Iran's nuclear deal. Following the accumulation of a much larger amount than allowed (more than two and a half tons) of enriched uranium to a degree of 4.5 percent, as well as tens of kilograms of enriched uranium to a moderate degree (20 percent). Iran also promoted R&D in more advanced centrifuges, although has not yet installed them.
This Iranian activity has one and only one meaning: blackmail.
Its overt and stated intention is to pressure the United States, and cause it to return to the nuclear deal it withdrew from during Donald Trump's presidency, while at the same time removing the sanctions imposed on Tehran, especially in the areas of finance.
Iran seems to feel confident not only because it understands that the United States intends to return to the agreement, but also against the background of the agreement it signed with China, and also because of its success in steadily increasing the amount of oil it manages to sell, despite sanctions.
Although the latest Iranian move was explained as good news on the occasion of Nuclear Day, it was not for nothing that it was carried out in the week in which indirect talks were held with the participation of the Americans and Iranians, which were described as "positive."
Tehran actually sought to make it clear to Washington that it was serious about its intentions, and that it did not intend to back away from the clear condition it had set: either a return to the original agreement and the repeal of sanctions, or nothing.
On the face of it, Americans have no reason to be alarmed by the recent Iranian moves.
Although each of them brings Iran one step closer to the nucleus, experts from both sides of the Atlantic are united in their view that it is still far from the bomb, and in any case - all the steps it has taken are immediately reversible.
The uranium that Iran has accumulated can be taken from its hands as done in the original nuclear agreement, and the advanced centrifuges installed can be dismantled.
The only element that can not be reversed is the knowledge accumulated, and may be used in the future.
Despite this, Washington seems eager to close this matter.
Instead of the sword remaining on the necks of the Iranians who groan under the sanctions, for some reason it is precisely the Americans who feel stressed.
This is bad news for Israel, which believes that the original agreement is bad, and at least requires significant changes (especially in terms of its expiration date, as well as supervision and R&D processes). The political chaos in the country makes it difficult to formulate and implement an orderly policy. - including Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, Mossad chief Yossi Cohen and IMF chief Tamir Heiman - in an attempt to influence the administration to toughen its positions in the renewed negotiations with Tehran.
The issue is also expected to come up in talks with the new US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who will pay his first working visit to Israel today.
During his visit, Austin will meet with the Prime Minister and with the defense and foreign ministers, as well as with some of the heads of the defense establishment.
It is not certain how effective the Israeli pressure will be, if at all, but the effort is obligatory.
Several moves (and leaks) made by the new administration in recent weeks have caused concern in Jerusalem, but on the other hand, senior government officials have promised to "be attentive" to the Israeli position, and now is the time for their test.
Although the cards in Israel's hands are less comfortable than those in Trump's time, the final whistle has not yet been heard.
Until then there is plenty of time to try and convince that Tehran - just as it did yesterday - is a serial breach of agreements and commitments, and will continue to be so in the future.