Diplomats: IAEA Inspectors to Accompany Iranians During Sampling at Parchin

Reuters reports, citing Western diplomats, that during the sampling at the Parchin military site, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be present alongside Iranian specialists. On Friday, September 20, Reuters reported from two unnamed Western diplomats about a 'compromise' between Iran and the IAEA regarding sampling at the Parchin site. According to these diplomats, this compromise will ensure that 'Iran maintains its dignity while the IAEA can be assured that inspections will comply with its strict regulations.' Less than a month ago, the Associated Press reported that it had obtained the original draft of the agreement between the IAEA and Iran, which indicated that IAEA inspectors were barred from entering the Parchin site and would only have access to evidence and samples provided by Iranian specialists. This report served as evidence supporting the claims of Congressional Republicans that Barack Obama had capitulated to Iran on the sensitive issue of inspections. However, at that time, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano rejected such claims, calling it a 'misrepresentation' of the agreement between Iran and the IAEA. Although Mr. Amano refrained from detailing the agreement that U.S. Republicans labeled as a 'secret side deal' between Iran and the IAEA. Now, Reuters' report provides further explanation on how sampling at the Parchin site will be conducted. The report states that while Iranian specialists carry out the sampling, IAEA inspectors will also be physically present at the scene and can fully monitor their actions. According to Western diplomats, the IAEA has managed access to the site that will comply with the agency's regulations, leaving no room for concern. These diplomats ultimately criticized the media, calling their reports about the sampling at Parchin inaccurate, stating that such reports imply that Iran is inspecting itself, which is not the case. The Parchin military site, located about 30 kilometers south of Tehran, has been one of the main contentious issues between Iran and global powers. The West suspects that Iran has conducted tests related to nuclear weapon production at this site, a claim that Iran denies.