The most recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Iran's implementation of the nuclear deal noted that Iran's stock of low-enriched uranium was 79.8 kg as of May 27th and that the level of enrichment did not exceed 3.67 percent. Iran's stock of heavy water reached 128.2 metric tons, close to the 130 ton limit under the nuclear deal, according to the report. However, Iran is currently not producing heavy water after shutting down its heavy water production plant for maintenance. The IAEA verified the shutdown on May 16.
News Briefs
June 2, 2017
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has named Michael D'Andrea as the new head of Iran operations at the agency, according to intelligence officials. D'Andrea, whose nicknames include the "Dark Prince" and "Ayatollah Mike," previously served as head of the CIA's Counterterrorism Center.
-- New York Times
May 25, 2017
Legislation that would impose new sanctions on Iran for its ballistic missile program, support for terrorism, and human rights violations won support from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a 18-3 vote and now will be considered by the full Senate. The sanctions bill has bi-partisan support and is not considered by most lawmakers to violate U.S. obligations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
-- Reuters
May 25, 2017
Amirali Hajizadeh, a senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that Iran has built a third underground missile production factory. Hajizadeh also stated that Iran would continue its missile production and tests and that a surface-to-surface missile is next in line for production.
-- Reuters
May 24, 2017
In testimony before the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin stated that the Treasury Department was reviewing licenses for aircraft sales to Iran. IranAir has agreed to purchase 80 jets from Boeing, 100 from Airbus, and 20 from the Franco-Italian company ATR. All of these contracts require U.S. licenses because of their reliance on U.S. parts. Treasury has issued licences for the main contracts, but these licenses may need to be renewed in 2020.
-- Reuters
May 20, 2017
Hassan Rouhani was re-elected president of Iran in a landslide victory. Rouhani won 57 percent of the 41 million votes cast, defeating his opponent Ebrahim Raisi. Turnout was high, with more than 70 percent of Iran's 56 million voters casting ballots. Rouhani is seen to represent a more moderate and reformist faction and has promised more economic openness.
-- New York Times
May 8, 2017
Iranian Communications and Information Technology Minister Mahmoud Vaezi announced plans to launch into orbit two domestically-produced satellites within the next few months. The Nahid 1 is a telecommunications satellite built at the Iranian Space Research Center. The Payam-e Amir Kabir is a remote sensing satellite built at Amir Kabir University of Technology capable of taking precision images. Iran has also manufactured a space tug called the Saman 1, which will be used to transfer satellites from low earth orbit to higher-energy orbits.
-- Fars News Agency
May 2, 2017
Turkish officials detained a 38-year-old Iranian citizen, known by his initials E.E., in the Black Sea port city of Zonguldak after he was caught attempting to smuggle anti-tank missile parts to Iran, according to a statement by the Turkish Customs and Trade Ministry. The truck carrying the missile parts arrived on a ship from Ukraine. The seized parts were for the Russian-made 9K111 FAGOT and 9K113 Konkur anti-tank missiles. Turkish authorities said that perhaps the parts were being returned following repairs.
-- Asharq Al-Awsat
April 26, 2017
An Iranian businessman was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison in the United Arab Emirates for violating international sanctions. The businessman, referred to only as S.M.A.R., attempted to ship a dual-use power generator and other devices to Iran for use in its nuclear program. UAE authorities seized the items. The Abu Dhabi Federal Appeals Court also ordered that the businessman be deported following the completion of his sentence.
-- Reuters
April 23, 2017
Iran and China signed a contract for the redesign of the Arak heavy water reactor. Under the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran is required to redesign and rebuild the reactor to run on uranium fuel enriched up to 3.67%. According to the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran is responsible for the new reactor design and related equipment, with China and the United States responsible for evaluating and certifying the design.
-- Tasnim News Agency