Meeting with IAEA boss Grossi: Iran wants to allow more precise controls

Status: 04.03.2023 20:02

For the first time in a year, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Grossi, has traveled to Iran for talks. Now an explanation gives hope. But many questions remain unanswered.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has agreed with Iran to monitor nuclear facilities more closely. This was announced by the IAEA and the Iranian nuclear organization AEOI. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi had previously held talks with Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran.

However, details of the improved inspection mode still have to be clarified by the two sides, the joint statement said. According to Grossi, the talks were characterized by “honesty and cooperation”.

Traces of weapons-grade uranium

Grossi had traveled to Iran to seek better access for IAEA inspectors and to address unresolved questions about suspected secret nuclear activities in the past. In this context, Iran is ready to provide further information and allow inspections, the statement said, without giving any further details.

IAEA experts recently found traces of uranium with a purity of 84 percent instead of the expected 60 percent in a nuclear facility in Fordow. Since then, the IAEA has been trying to clarify whether the high degree of enrichment was deliberate or whether it is an unintended outlier, as Iranian representatives argue. Israel and the USA in particular have recently expressed their concern that Iran could use the uranium to develop and build nuclear weapons.

3.76 tons of enriched uranium

IAEA chief Grossi had already pointed out in January that Iran already has enough enriched uranium for several nuclear weapons if the material were to be further enriched.

According to the report, the Islamic Republic possesses a total of 3.76 tons of enriched uranium. Almost 435 kilograms are therefore 20 percent uranium, 48 kilograms more than in the previous quarterly report from November. The stock of 60% uranium increased by 25 kilograms and is currently at almost 88 kilograms. Tehran has always emphasized that it is only interested in peaceful nuclear technology.

Tehran made the concessions just before the start of a regular IAEA Board of Governors meeting on Monday. Last year, the panel twice condemned Iran for lack of cooperation with the IAEA.

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