Grossi on Iran: No Progress in Resolving Remaining Safeguard Issues

Rafael Grossi states that the increased public statements in Iran regarding technical capabilities for nuclear weapon production and potential changes in Tehran's nuclear doctrine have heightened his concerns about the accuracy and completeness of Iran's statements regarding the Agency's safeguards. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency expressed deep regret on Monday, June 4, at the beginning of the Agency's Board of Governors meeting, that Iran has not yet reversed its decision to prevent experienced Agency inspectors from entering. According to Grossi, Iran has increased its 60% enriched uranium stockpile, suspended its commitments under the Additional Protocol for over three years, and during this period, the Agency has been unable to access supplementary information in Iran, losing track of the production and inventory of centrifuges, rotors, heavy water, and uranium ore concentrate. He stated that no progress has been made in resolving remaining safeguard issues, and Iran has not provided credible technical explanations regarding the detection of human-origin uranium particles at the Varamin and Torqozabad sites, nor has it informed the Agency about the current locations of 'contaminated' nuclear materials and equipment. As the Board of Governors meeting begins to discuss remaining disputes between the Agency and Iran, Western diplomats said the request by three European powers for a new resolution against Tehran stems from the urgency to respond to the rapid advancements in Iran's nuclear program. One Western diplomat also told an Israeli media outlet that the three European powers are tired of 'appeasement' towards Iran. The Board of Governors meeting commenced on Monday, June 4, at the Agency's headquarters in Vienna and is set to focus on the status of Iran's nuclear program during a five-day session. Last week, Britain, France, and Germany distributed a draft resolution among the members of the Board of Governors, also requesting Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the Agency, to prepare a comprehensive report on Iran's latest nuclear activities. According to the latest Agency report, Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium has increased, and the total amount of enriched uranium at varying levels of concentration has reached 30 times the permissible limit under the JCPOA. David Albright, from the Institute for Science and International Security and a former Agency inspector, stated that if Iran's nuclear program continues at this pace, Tehran could have enough uranium for eight nuclear weapons in one month, enough for 20 weapons by the end of the second month, and enough 90% enriched uranium for 12 bombs by the end of the third month. A Western diplomat said on Monday that Britain, France, and Germany are seeking to pass a resolution to express concern about Iran becoming a country on the brink of military nuclear capability and that a new resolution must be issued to send a message to Tehran in this regard. According to European diplomats, inaction against the expanding nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran would be perceived by Tehran as a sign of weakness from the Agency and would undermine the credibility of Western pressure on Iran. The expiration date of the UN Security Council sanctions against Iran and the 'snapback' mechanism, which allowed for the imposition of further sanctions against Iran, will end this October. Reports indicate that the three European countries believe that the need to confront Iran should not be postponed until the last days before the expiration of this deadline. A Western diplomat told AFP that the rapid expansion of Iran's nuclear program, if not for military purposes, does not have a credible justification. AFP, which has seen the proposed text from the three European countries, reported that the text emphasizes the necessity for Iran to provide 'credible technical explanations' for the detection of uranium particles at two undisclosed locations in Iran. The report indicates that Iran will be asked to reverse its decision from several months ago to expel several Agency inspectors and allow the Agency to regain access to the cameras at nuclear facilities. An 'European diplomat' on Monday told Israeli Channel 7 that European countries want to tell Iran that 'enough is enough.' This diplomat referenced Iran's recent actions in advancing its nuclear program, continuing to equip Russia with drones and missiles used in the Ukraine war, direct military attacks on Israeli territory, and ongoing attempts to attack Israeli and Jewish targets and undermine opponents of the Islamic Republic in Europe. Despite the determination of the three European countries to pass a new resolution against Iran, the U.S. government is still engaged in internal discussions on the matter. U.S. media reported last week that the Biden administration is trying to avoid further escalation of tensions in the region ahead of the presidential elections. Three months ago, the three European countries called for new punitive measures against Iran, but after facing a lack of support from Washington, they abandoned their request. According to AFP, the U.S. position may change during this Board of Governors meeting as the 'current policy of inaction' is 'no longer tolerable.' Rafael Grossi visited Iran last month and called for 'tangible improvements' in Tehran's cooperation with the Agency. The Islamic Republic of Iran has described the push for a new resolution against it as being forced to 'cooperate beyond its commitments' and has threatened that in such a case, it will respond significantly. ISNA reported on Monday that the new resolution 'endangers the narrow yet important and vital path of cooperation between Iran and the Agency.' Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's representative to the Agency, expressed hope on Sunday that a new resolution against Iran would not be submitted, stating that such a move would worsen the situation. The last resolution by the Agency's Board of Governors against Iran was passed two years ago in the fall. Some Iranian officials in recent weeks have explicitly mentioned the possibility of a change in the government's policy regarding the nuclear program and moving towards a military program.