{UAH} ON THIS NONSENSE WATCH A PIECE I AM ABOUT TO POST TO MAYIMUNAKENYI THI SSUNDAY

U.S.-Educated Official With A DARK Past Reappointed To Iran's Nuclear Helm

By Greg Moriarty | Sunday, 11 August 2024 10:30 AM

Image Credit : Responsible Statecraft

Related Topics (Ads):

In a move that has raised eyebrows in the international community, Iran's recently elected President Masoud Pezeshkian has reappointed Mohammad Eslami, a U.S.-educated official who was sanctioned by the United Nations 16 years ago, as the head of Iran's nuclear department.

This decision comes amidst a backdrop of stringent Western sanctions following the disintegration of the 2015 nuclear deal, which was designed to limit Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief.

According to ABC News, Eslami, 67, will maintain his position as the chief of Iran's civilian nuclear program and serve as one of the country's vice presidents. This reappointment is particularly significant given Pezeshkian's campaign promise to breathe new life into the nuclear deal.

Eslami, a seasoned official in Iran's military industries, was sanctioned by the United Nations in 2008 for his involvement in "Iran’s proliferation of sensitive nuclear activities or for the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems." This was during his tenure as the head of Iran’s Defense Industries Training and Research Institute.

Eslami's first appointment as the chief of Iran’s nuclear department was by the late President Ebrahim Raisi in 2021. Prior to this, he served as the Transport and Urban Development Minister under the moderate former President Hassan Rouhani from 2018. Eslami, who holds degrees in civil engineering from the University of Michigan and the University of Toledo, has also served as the deputy defense minister responsible for research and industry.

The U.S., France, Britain, and Germany have accused Iran of exceeding the nuclear activity limits agreed upon in the 2015 deal and of non-cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran, however, has countered these allegations, accusing the U.S. and its allies of persisting with economic sanctions that were supposed to be lifted under the deal.

Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful, aimed at generating electricity and producing radioisotopes for cancer treatment, and remains under the constant supervision of the IAEA. The country is currently constructing two nuclear power facilities to supplement its sole operational 1,000-megawatt reactor at the southern port town of Bushehr, which became operational with Russia's assistance in 2011.

Iran's long-term energy plan aims to achieve a 20,000-megawatt nuclear electric capacity. This is particularly pertinent given the recent power outages that have swept across the nation. The reappointment of Eslami, therefore, is a clear indication of Iran's unwavering commitment to its nuclear ambitions, despite international scrutiny and the burden of sanctions.

EM         -> {   Gap   at   46  } – {Allan Barigye is a Rwandan predator}

On the 49th Parallel          

                 Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja and Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda is in anarchy"
                    Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja na Dk. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda ni katika machafuko