Amano Calls for Increased Cooperation Between Iran and the Agency

Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated on Saturday, February 6, that negotiations between Iran and the Agency have reached a "critical" stage, and the Islamic Republic must immediately provide necessary explanations regarding key aspects of its nuclear program through increased cooperation. Mr. Amano, after meeting with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, told Reuters that Iran should expedite negotiations with the IAEA. Regarding his meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister, he said: 'We agreed to accelerate high-level negotiations between the two sides.' The IAEA Director General emphasized that 'we are at a very sensitive juncture. Therefore, we must expedite our efforts to clarify outstanding past issues so that we can prepare ourselves for future matters.' According to Mr. Amano, the Agency is seeking clarification regarding the potential 'military' dimensions of Iran's nuclear activities and also unannounced inspections of undeclared nuclear facilities. The IAEA Director General added that Iran must implement the actions it has agreed to. Clarification regarding potential military dimensions and the implementation of the Additional Protocol and beyond is very fundamental. He also stated: 'These inspections are by no means unlimited, and this is not an unlimited process. With Iran's full or reasonable cooperation, we can clarify the issue within a specific timeframe.' Mr. Amano also mentioned that he would discuss Iran's nuclear program with Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, in Munich. Western countries accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapon technology under the guise of its nuclear program. Iran denies these allegations. In its latest report on Iran's nuclear program in November of this year, the IAEA stated that Iran has not fully cooperated regarding some of its activities, and the Agency is currently unable to verify Iran's nuclear program. Iran and the countries of the United States, Britain, France, China, and Russia, along with Germany, are negotiating to reach a comprehensive agreement regarding the Iranian nuclear dispute. Both sides have a deadline until June of next year to reach an agreement in this regard.