Iran Agrees to More Joint Nuclear Site Inspections

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Facts

• On Saturday, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, announced that Iran had agreed to expand joint inspections at the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and reinstall surveillance cameras and other monitoring equipment.¹
• The IAEA director stated that Tehran agreed to increase inspections at the facility by 50% after the watchdog reported that up to 83.7% enriched uranium particles had been detected at the underground nuclear plant. He also confirmed that no 'production or accumulation' of uranium had occurred at this enrichment level.²
• According to a joint statement from the IAEA and the Iran Atomic Energy Agency issued on Saturday, Tehran voiced its 'readiness' to maintain collaboration and offer 'further information and access to address the outstanding safeguards issues' related to its disputed nuclear activities.³
• Returning from his two-day visit to Iran, Grossi said during a press conference that Iran is supposed to grant access to 'information, locations and people' related to its nuclear activities. The modalities will be finalized in follow-up talks in the near future, Grossi added.⁴
• The Iranian Atomic Energy Agency, however, denied reports that Tehran had given the UN's atomic watchdog access to individuals involved in its nuclear program and said there had also been no agreement on placing new cameras at Iran's nuclear facilities.⁵
• Last year, Iran removed more than 20 cameras and other monitoring devices from its nuclear power plants in response to a resolution adopted by IAEA members criticizing Tehran for its nuclear operations. By 2019 – a year after the Trump administration unilaterally terminated the Iran nuclear deal – Iran had resumed its nuclear activities.⁶

Sources: ¹Dw.com, ²Guardian, ³Politico, ⁴Reuters, ⁵Iran international and ⁶Ft.

Narratives

• Pro-Iran, as provided by Tehran times. While the US and Israel are hyping the alleged Iranian nuclear threat to justify imposing new sanctions, Grossi's recent trip to Iran underscores Tehran's willingness to cooperate constructively with the IAEA. This is all the more remarkable given that Tehran has been transparent about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, while Tel Aviv has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and doesn't allow inspections of its nuclear activities. Only if the IAEA maintains its autonomy and neutrality against those who seek to obstruct dialogue with Iran will there be a chance for fruitful negotiations.
• Anti-Iran, as provided by Iran international. While Iran pretends to be engaged in constructive talks with the IAEA, it has advanced its uranium enrichment program behind the scenes to the point where it can produce enough material for a nuclear weapon within a few weeks. And if Tehran were to actually make the decision to secretly produce nuclear weapons, it would push the IAEA past its operational limits. Moreover, that Iran has become an incalculable security risk is underscored by Iran's support for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The international community must increase pressure to bring Tehran to its senses and lay the groundwork for credible talks with the IAEA.

Predictions