Amano: The Nuclear Agreement with Iran is Still Fragile

Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that despite Iran's adherence to the nuclear agreement with world powers so far, the agreement remains "fragile." In an interview reported by The Washington Post on June 3, Amano expressed that the verification of Iran's nuclear program will take years. Iran and six world powers reached an agreement on July 14 last year to resolve the dispute over the country's nuclear program by significantly reducing Tehran's nuclear activities, in exchange for the lifting of international nuclear sanctions against the Islamic Republic. This agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was implemented in January of last year. Amano further noted in the interview that while achieving the agreement was crucial, stabilizing such an agreement requires extensive efforts. The IAEA's latest report, released in late May (early June), indicated that Iran has complied with its commitments under the agreement and has reduced its enriched uranium and heavy water stocks as stipulated. According to the JCPOA, the IAEA is the monitoring body overseeing the implementation of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six world powers and is expected to provide a new report every three months regarding the activities, progress, and dimensions of Iran's nuclear program. Meanwhile, Amano stated that they have been asked to verify facts and documentation, not opinions. If others find it amusing or unpleasant, it does not concern them. However, he emphasized that verifying Iran's nuclear program is a significant task, and their experts are working very hard. In another part of the interview, Amano addressed Iran's past activities, particularly the tests conducted in the Parchin area, stating that Tehran's denials regarding past tests are considered invalid by the IAEA, but what is crucial now is that such actions and tests are no longer being conducted in Parchin. Amano confirmed that he visited Parchin and found it almost empty, assuring that no tests like the explosive chamber are being conducted there anymore. Western countries had previously accused Iran of conducting nuclear weapon-related tests in Parchin, which Iran denied. Ultimately, within the framework of the agreement between Iran and the IAEA, Amano visited Parchin in late September of last year. At the end of the interview, Amano remarked that only half of the work regarding Iran has been completed, and they need to stabilize it. The IAEA's recent report also noted that Iran has issued "long-term visas" for inspectors at the agency's request and has provided suitable working conditions at nuclear sites. It was also mentioned that Iran has agreed to increase the number of agency inspectors.