ISFAHAN: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi has urged Iran to adopt practical and concrete steps to enhance cooperation on its nuclear programme and address the international community’s concerns.
During a news conference in Isfahan, the UN atomic watchdog chief stated that in his meeting with Iranian officials, including Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, he proposed that Tehran should “focus on very concrete, practical, and tangible measures that can be implemented to accelerate cooperation.
Against the backdrop of regional tensions, Grossi stressed the importance of resolving nuclear disputes. He acknowledged political challenges but underscored the urgency of tangible measures to bridge gaps.
Regarding a prior agreement from March 2023, Grossi affirmed its validity but called for further substance. He noted a slowdown in its implementation, including reduced inspections and the withdrawal of IAEA expert accreditation by Iran. Iran, citing the failure of other parties to fulfill obligations, defended its decision to suspend compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.
Efforts to mediate between Iran and the US, along with EU initiatives, have not yielded results. The IAEA expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities, including enrichment levels exceeding the 2015 accord’s limits. Iran denied military ambitions and criticized hostile actions, particularly attributing blame to Israel.
During talks, both parties acknowledged the 2023 deal as a foundation for interaction but did not delve into technicalities, including uranium traces at undisclosed sites. Eslami condemned attacks on Iran’s nuclear program, pointing fingers at Israel. Grossi maintained that external influences did not affect IAEA-Iran relations.
Grossi said a March 2023 deal with Iran was “still valid” but required more “substance”.
The agreement was reached during Grossi’s last visit to Iran and outlined basic cooperation measures including on safeguards and monitoring.
The IAEA chief said, however, that there had been a “slowdown” in the agreement’s implementation including the number of inspections being reduced and the accreditation of a group of IAEA experts being withdrawn by Iran.
Legal Rights in Response to US Withdrawal from Nuclear Deal: Iran
Iran suspended compliance with nuclear activity limits established by the 2015 landmark deal with major powers approximately one year following the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the agreement in 2018, which was followed by the reimposition of comprehensive sanctions.
Eslami asserted during a joint news conference, “We have the legal right to scale back our commitments when other parties fail to uphold theirs.”
Since the collapse of the deal, tensions between Iran and the IAEA have frequently escalated. Efforts mediated by the EU to bring Washington back into compliance and to encourage Tehran to adhere to the accord’s terms have thus far been unsuccessful.
The agency has recently criticized Iran for its lack of cooperation on various issues, including the expansion of its nuclear activities, obstructing inspectors, and deactivating monitoring devices at its nuclear facilities.
In a confidential report obtained by AFP in February, the agency stated that Iran’s estimated stockpile of enriched uranium had surpassed the limit set in the 2015 accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), by 27 times.
Last year, Iran initially slowed its uranium enrichment pace, viewed as a goodwill gesture during informal talks with the United States. However, in late 2023, Iran escalated the production of 60 percent enriched uranium, according to the IAEA. Enrichment levels of about 90 percent are necessary for military purposes.
Iran has consistently denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons, maintaining that its activities are solely for peaceful purposes.
