Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif insisted Wednesday that the Obama administration mischaracterizes Iran's concessions in the nuclear deal, telling CNN's Chief National Security Correspondent Jim Sciutto in an exclusive interview that "We did not agree to dismantle anything."
As part of the deal, Iran was required to dilute its stockpile of uranium that had been enriched to 20%, well above the 5% level needed for power generation but still below the level for developing a nuclear weapon.
In addition, the deal mandated that Iran halt all enrichment above 5% and "Dismantle the technical connections required to enrich above 5%," According to a White House fact sheet issued in November after the initial agreement was reached.
Zarif accused the Obama administration of creating a false impression with such language. Ref. CNN
Obama signs 'terrorist activity' law aimed at barring Iranian U.N. Envoy:
President Barack Obama on Friday signed into law a bill barring U.S. Visas for U.N. Envoys seen as a threat to American security or having engaged in "Terrorist activity" - a measure aimed at Iran's ambassador. Ref. Source 7
Will Irans Missile Program Doom Nuke Talks
Confidential report sees no slowdown on expansion of ballistic missile program.
Source
White House says it does not want military coordination with Iran:
A White House official said on Monday that there could be talks with Iran on the sidelines of meetings on Tehran's nuclear program about the mounting crisis in Iraq, but the United States is not interested in any military coordination with Tehran. Ref. Source 7
Iran: U.S. Demand for Deep Centrifuge Cut Is a Diplomatic Ploy:
With only a few weeks remaining before the Jul. 20 deadline, the Barack Obama administration issued a warning to Iran that it must accept deep cuts in the number of its centrifuges in order to demonstrate that its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes. Ref. Source 3