International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi has indicated that inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog agency will soon return to Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities, which is a key element of the interim agreement between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the war, and advancing negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Speaking at a press conference in Japan on Wednesday, Grossi said inspections of Iranian nuclear sites were expected to resume despite the contradictory public statements given by both Washington and Tehran over the issue.
According to the IAEA chief, inspections by the watchdog group were a central part of the memorandum of understanding signed by both countries and stressed that the agreement explicitly requires IAEA oversight of Iran’s nuclear activities and facilities.
“I can understand political statements, they are part of the reality, but the fundamental thing I would like to remind you of is that there has been a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by both presidents,” Grossi said.
He noted that the agreement clearly states that nuclear activities involving Iranian nuclear material and facilities will be supervised by the IAEA.
“Obviously, to do that, we have to inspect. Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in ten days, it’s important, but not essential. This is going to happen,” he added.
The comments mark the strongest indication yet from the UN agency that inspections will resume post restrictions imposed by Tehran after its 12-day war with Israel in 2025.
Since the war last year, IAEA inspectors have been unable to access key enrichment facilities where Iran is believed to be storing massive quantities of highly enriched uranium, CBS News reported.
Western governments and Israel have long argued that Iran intends to weaponise its stockpile citing its high enrichment level. While Tehran continues to insist its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful, the agency noted that uranium enrichment for civil uses is only between 3-5% while Iran has enriched its stockpile to 60% which is far beyond the level needed for sectors such as medicine, energy, and space tech.
The Iranian stockpile, however, is very close to weapons grade, whose requirement is 90%.
Under the interim US-Iran agreement, one of the main objectives is the “downblending” of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, reducing its purity level to that needed for civil uses under international supervision.
