Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, clarified the country’s nuclear needs July 8 after controversy erupted over comments by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei about Iran's nuclear program needing 190,000 separative work units (SWU). The SWU, a complex unit, indicates energy input, enrichment and depletion levels.

“A current sensitive issue is the nuclear issue,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a speech to government officials July 7, adding that the opposing side has taken a maximalist position in the nuclear talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.

“Their goal is that the Islamic Republic — in regard to the suitable enrichment capabilities, for instance, which is one of the issues — to be satisfied with 10,000 SWU,” he said, adding, “However, they started at 500 SWU and 1,000 SWU. Approximately 10,000 SWU is the output of approximately 10,000 centrifuges — from the outdated ones we’ve had and have. This is their goal.

“Our officials say that we need 190,000 SWU,” he continued. “Maybe this need will not be for this year, or two years, or five years, but this is the final need of the country.”