Grossi: Iran's Enriched Uranium Stockpile Has Increased and Safeguard Issues Remain Unresolved

Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), affiliated with the United Nations, stated on Monday that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, including uranium enriched up to 60%, continues to increase. He made this remark in a speech to the members of the IAEA's Board of Governors and announced that this issue was included in the latest verification and monitoring report on Iran's nuclear program, which has been provided to the Board members. The Board of Governors is one of the two bodies that hold policymaking power within the IAEA. Grossi mentioned that the IAEA's oversight of Iran's nuclear program, which the Islamic Republic has restricted, has seen a breakdown in the flow of information regarding the production of centrifuges, the number stored, rotors, and centrifuge blowers, heavy water, and uranium ore concentrate. He noted that it has been over three years since the Islamic Republic of Iran temporarily suspended the implementation of the Additional Protocol, meaning the IAEA has not had comprehensive monitoring access to Iran's nuclear program for over three years. Grossi further stated that there has been no progress in resolving outstanding safeguard issues. He indicated that the Iranian government has not provided 'credible technical explanations' regarding uranium particles discovered in Varamin and Torqozabad or informed the IAEA about the current locations of nuclear materials or contaminated equipment. These uranium particles have a human origin, indicating they were not naturally present. Grossi stated that Iran is still not implementing modified Article 3.1, claiming it has suspended its implementation. This article obliges the Iranian government to provide design information to the IAEA 'as soon as' it decides to begin construction of any nuclear facilities. He emphasized that these unresolved issues must be addressed for the IAEA to be in a position to guarantee that Iran's nuclear program is solely peaceful. He also expressed that public statements by Iranian officials regarding the government's ability to produce nuclear weapons and the potential change in nuclear doctrine only increase his concerns about the accuracy and completeness of Iran's safeguard statements. In recent months, Iranian officials have threatened that the government might produce nuclear weapons. Grossi visited Tehran in early May and met with Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who was then the Iranian Foreign Minister, and Mohammad Eslami, the Vice President of Iran and head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. He stated that during that visit, he presented 'several tangible proposals' to reinforce the joint statement issued on March 4, 2023, for increased monitoring of Iran's nuclear program. However, Grossi expressed deep regret that the Iranian government has not yet reversed its decision to prevent several of the IAEA's most experienced inspectors from entering Iran's nuclear facilities. He welcomed Iran's agreement that the March 2023 joint statement still provides a framework for cooperation with the IAEA and resolving outstanding issues, urging Iran to implement the joint statement through serious engagement with the IAEA's specific proposals. He reiterated his request to the new Iranian government (the government following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash) to continue high-level dialogues and technical exchanges initiated as a result of the May meeting with Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (the Foreign Minister who was killed alongside Raisi) and Ali Bagheri Kani, the current head of the Foreign Ministry. Blinken's appreciation for Grossi's efforts regarding the Iranian nuclear program, Grossi's discussions about the Iranian nuclear program with Putin, and a group of Republican senators urging the Biden administration to condemn the Islamic Republic at the IAEA meeting were also noted. Warnings from the US and Europe indicated that if Iran does not resolve the 'remaining issues,' another resolution will be issued.