On November 15, Tehran reached an agreement in principle with the European Union (EU) Three—Berlin, London, and Paris—to halt its efforts to develop the capacity to enrich uranium, a process that is necessary to produce fuel for nuclear power plants. In exchange, the three governments promised to oppose Washington’s efforts to refer Iran’s nuclear program to the United Nations Security Council. They also agreed to hold talks on technological and trade cooperation with Iran.

On November 25, the opening day of the IAEA meeting, Tehran requested that 20 centrifuges be exempted from its agreement with the European governments. Tehran said it needed to operate the small number of machines for research purposes. Centrifuges are used to enrich uranium by spinning it at supersonic speeds. Nuclear specialists say it would take thousands of centrifuges operating over several months to produce enough enriched uranium for a nuclear warhead.

The IAEA meeting had been convened to discuss Tehran’s compliance with a September resolution demanding Iran halt programs to enrich uranium. The Bush administration charges that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of its nuclear energy program. It has campaigned for more than a year to bring such charges before the UN Security Council to pave the way for imposition of additional economic sanctions and possible military probes against Iran.

The EU Three threatened to support Washington’s demand if the government of Iran did not back down by the end of the meeting’s weekend recess, according to CNN.

In a face-saving gesture to Iran, the IAEA agreed that the 20 centrifuges would not be sealed and locked in position but will be monitored by surveillance cameras. The resolution also states that Tehran’s suspension of uranium enrichment is a “voluntary confidence building measure not a legal obligation.” Iran insists that under the UN’s Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful use, including nuclear energy.

The resolution also omits language sought by Washington that would have required the IAEA to inform the UN Security Council of the agreement, effectively putting it on the council’s agenda. It also does not contain a U.S. proposal that any future breech of the agreement by Iran be referred to the Security Council, stating instead that the board be informed of any breeches.

According to Reuters, Iran’s president Mohammad Khatami said on state radio that the IAEA resolution “was a definite defeat for our enemies who wanted to pressure Iran by sending its case to the U.N. Security Council.”

Paris, Berlin, and London differ with Washington regarding how best to advance their imperialist interests vis-à-vis Iran. They have pressured Tehran to make concessions regarding its right to nuclear technology in hopes of keeping Washington at bay. Paris, in particular, stands to gain the most through its current investments in Iran and future deals it hopes to strike, including in Iran’s nuclear industry.

Jackie Sanders, the U.S. representative to the IAEA board, indicated that Washington would consider bringing Iran’s nuclear program before the Security Council on its own, according to Reuters. “Any member of the United Nations,” Sanders said, “may bring to the attention of the Security Council any situation that might endanger the maintenance of international peace and security.” She also warned any countries that exported weapons-related equipment to Iran that Washington would “impose economic burdens on them and brand them as proliferators.” Legislation that would impose sanctions on foreign companies that invest in Iran is currently before the U.S. Congress.  
 
 
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