Global atomic monitors reported that Iran continues to stonewall critical investigations while ramping up its uranium enrichment, dealing a new blow to efforts to resurrect an international agreement that had reined in Tehran’s nuclear program.
(Bloomberg) —
Global atomic monitors reported that Iran continues to stonewall critical investigations while ramping up its uranium enrichment, dealing a new blow to efforts to resurrect an international agreement that had reined in Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran has demanded the International Atomic Energy Agency end its probe into the source of uranium particles detected at several undeclared locations as part of any deal to roll back its nuclear activities and restore the landmark 2015 accord.
The US and other world powers have offered sanctions relief if the Islamic Republic curtails nuclear-fuel production, but they insist it’s up to the IAEA to declare an end to the investigation.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi “is increasingly concerned that Iran has not engaged with the agency on the outstanding safeguards issues,” read a 3-page restricted IAEA report published Wednesday in Vienna. “There has been no progress toward resolving them.”
In a second 12-page report, the agency said that Iran’s stockpile of highly-enriched uranium jumped 29% in the last three months, with the country continuing to lay the groundwork for a major expansion of its capacity to produce nuclear fuel.
Talks to rein in Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for easing sanctions, including those on oil exports, have been on a knife’s edge since European negotiators proposed a final 25-page draft agreement after almost 18 months of negotiations.
After optimistic early signals that a return to the 2015 accord could be days away, sides are now resigned to more delays, dragging out talks and preventing Iran from ramping up its sales of crude.
US Calls Iran’s Response to Nuclear Talks ‘Not Constructive’
The nuclear deal unraveled after then-President Donald Trump withdrew the US in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. In response, Iranian officials expanded the country’s nuclear program.
The IAEA reported Wednesday that Iran has accumulated 55.6 kilograms (122.6 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60%, just below levels needed for a nuclear weapon. The country has also accumulated tons of uranium enriched to lower levels.
Tehran denies it’s seeking to build atomic warheads but concerns it might develop the technology to do so propelled years of diplomacy that led to the deal with world powers.
The IAEA’s 35-member board of governors meets Sept. 12 in Vienna. Diplomats passed a resolution to formally censure Iran for its lack of cooperation during their last meeting in June. The country has previously been referred to United Nations Security Council for violating its nuclear-safeguards obligations.
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