Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency to Visit Iran for Talks with Senior Officials

Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is traveling to Iran to participate in the "International Conference on Nuclear Sciences and Technologies" to be held from May 6 to 8 in Isfahan. The IAEA confirmed the upcoming visit in response to the Persian section of Voice of America, stating that Mr. Grossi will meet with "senior officials" of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The IAEA Director General had mentioned in March 2023 that he was planning a trip to Tehran to address "divergences" in the relationship between the Agency and the Islamic Republic. In the same month, the IAEA reported in a confidential document to its 35 member states that Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium had "slightly" decreased over the past three months, but the total stockpile of enriched uranium in Iran continues to increase. The report indicated that Iran had reduced its 60% enriched uranium stockpile by 6.8 kilograms since early November, bringing it down to 121.5 kilograms. The report also showed that the Iranian government still possesses enough material that, if further enriched, would be sufficient for the fuel of two nuclear weapons and, at lower enrichment levels, for more bombs, according to the Agency's definitions. According to the IAEA's definition, the Iranian government needs at least 42 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium to produce one nuclear bomb. The Islamic Republic of Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and claims it has the right to enrich to high levels for "non-military purposes." Western countries argue that there is no "credible non-military justification" for enriching to such high levels. Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - the previous agreement between the Islamic Republic and world powers - the Iranian government was allowed to enrich uranium only up to 3.67%. After then-President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from this agreement and reimposed sanctions, the Islamic Republic moved beyond the nuclear limits of this agreement. The IAEA Board of Governors has passed a resolution instructing the Iranian government to cooperate with the Agency's investigations into uranium particles discovered at sites whose nature was not previously disclosed. However, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not fully complied with the agreement to reinstall IAEA cameras at some nuclear sites and has banned some of the most important and experienced inspectors from operating in Iran. Mr. Grossi stated on April 20, 2023, that inspections by this body had been suspended due to concerns about a potential retaliatory attack by Israel on Iran's nuclear facilities, and he mentioned that they would resume on May 24. The IAEA stated that no damage had been inflicted on nuclear sites in Iran. Rafael Grossi: The Islamic Republic is significantly closer to building a nuclear bomb. Concurrently with the suspension of the Agency's inspectors' activities, Grossi expressed concern about an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. Secretary of State Blinken praised Grossi for the Agency's efforts regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. The U.S. warned the Iranian government about the continuation of "obstruction" to cooperation with the Agency.