EU Expresses 'Serious' Concern Over Iran's Rapid High-Purity Enrichment

The European Union's delegation to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a statement emphasizing the bloc's serious opposition to the potential acquisition of nuclear weapons by the Islamic Republic. In the statement released on Tuesday, March 14, it described this issue as a 'key priority in international security' and called on all countries to support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which oversees the JCPOA, including facilitating the Agency's oversight of Iran's nuclear activities. The statement expressed regret over what it termed Iran's 'hesitation' in making necessary decisions to return to its JCPOA commitments and deemed the 'uninterrupted advancements' of the Islamic Republic in nuclear activities over the past five years as a source of 'serious concern.' The EU reiterated its commitment to a diplomatic solution while warning that the escalation of Iran's nuclear activities could lead to a nuclear weapons crisis in the region. EU foreign ministers criticized Iran's 'threat to international peace.' The statement noted the 'significant increase in the speed and purity of uranium enrichment and its accumulation in Iran,' stating that the Islamic Republic has significantly deviated from its JCPOA commitments and has achieved 'irreversible knowledge,' which is a deeply concerning issue. The EU delegation, referencing the latest report from Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General, expressed concern over the accumulation of 60% enriched uranium sufficient for producing six nuclear bombs in recent months and warned that this trend continues, with Iran currently enriching uranium needed for one bomb to 60% each month. The statement indicated that since there is no 'acceptable justification' for the peaceful use of this amount of enriched uranium, these activities likely encourage Iran's diversion towards military activities. The EU also referenced statements from some Iranian officials suggesting a potential change in Iran's nuclear doctrine and efforts to produce nuclear weapons. The EU expressed regret that Iran, despite its initial agreement, ultimately refused to accept four experienced inspectors recently introduced by the Agency. Meanwhile, Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization, stated on March 8 that 'IAEA inspectors conduct their inspections daily according to an existing schedule.' The statement concluded by urging Iran to halt its concerning nuclear activities and return without delay to its commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The EU also called for the resumption of voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol and the reinstatement of all monitoring and verification criteria related to the JCPOA. One day before the EU delegation's statement, the IAEA Director General had informed the Agency's Board of Governors of his serious concerns, noting that Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium had increased to 275 kilograms, up from 182 kilograms in his previous report. Uranium enriched to this level can quickly be upgraded to 90%, which is only applicable for nuclear weapons. Rafael Grossi warned ahead of the Monday meeting at the Agency that only 'an empty shell' remains of the JCPOA, which elicited negative reactions from Iranian officials. The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization described Grossi's remarks as 'biased,' and Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy for Legal and International Affairs, labeled these statements as 'political and unprofessional.'