IAEA warning: Tehran withholds information on nuclear power
Very few inspectors' checks on uranium stocks in the past year. Grossi's concern: 'US and Iran must reach a lasting and verifiable agreement'
The IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has expressed 'concern' over the lack of access of its inspectors to nuclear sites in Iran, warning of the risk of nuclear 'proliferation'. This was stated in a report in which the IAEA itself called on the regime in Tehran to "cooperate constructively with the agency". While acknowledging that military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities and sites have created 'an unprecedented situation', the agency says it is 'critical to conduct verification activities in Iran without delay'.
The Iranian authorities authorised IAEA inspectors to visit the Bushehr nuclear power plant this week, but gave no information on the whereabouts of the enriched uranium stockpiles. Although the visit to Bushehr was welcomed by the IAEA, which nevertheless emphasised 'the growing concerns regarding the stockpiles of enriched, near-nuclear grade uranium in the Islamic Republic'. For over a year," the report noted, "it has not been possible to test this material, which is sufficient to manufacture a dozen nuclear warheads.
IAA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reiterated his call for Iran to allow its inspectors to resume work and called for a negotiated solution to the war between Israel, the US and Iran. "The long-standing problem and recurring crises related to these issues must be resolved through a lasting and verifiable diplomatic agreement," he said.
Tehran imposed new restrictions, halving inspectors' access, after the 12-day war last June, in which Israel and the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites. Since then, inspectors have never returned to the damaged sites in Fordow, and Isfahan and Natanz, where 440.9 kilograms and 8,599.6 kilograms of low-enriched nuclear material had previously been found.
The IAEA report - according to two senior diplomats - emphasises that in the midst of the war that began at the end of February, 'the longer uranium remains outside international controls, the greater the risks that it can be diverted for non-peaceful uses'. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that Iran's nuclear programme has been annihilated. But he has also tried to negotiate access to uranium to neutralise it.
