Grossi: The Islamic Republic Must Explain the Uranium Found in Varamin and Torqouzabad

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) states that there has been 'no progress' in implementing the activities outlined in the recent joint statement with the Islamic Republic. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, reported on Tuesday in his new report titled 'NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran' to the Board of Governors, saying: 'Unfortunately, no progress has been made in implementing the activities outlined in the joint statement signed on March 4 in Tehran.' Grossi emphasized that Iran still needs to provide credible technical explanations for the presence of human-origin uranium particles in Varamin and Torqouzabad and inform the Agency about the current locations of related nuclear materials and/or contaminated equipment. According to him, the Islamic Republic must also resolve the existing discrepancies in the nuclear material balance assessment related to the 'uranium conversion facilities' and implement the 'revised Code 3.1.' The Director General added that remaining safeguards issues stem from Iran's commitments under the 'Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement' and that 'the Agency can only guarantee that Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful if these issues are resolved.' He noted that verification and monitoring related to the JCPOA have been severely impacted by Iran's significant decision in February 2021 to cease all implementation of its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA, and 'the removal of monitoring equipment related to the JCPOA has exacerbated the situation.' Grossi pointed out that more than two and a half years have passed since Iran suspended the implementation of the Additional Protocol, during which the Agency had access to sites and other locations in Iran. In conclusion, the Director General urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to 'seriously and sustainably cooperate in fulfilling the commitments outlined in the joint statement with the Agency.' The latest meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors began on Monday, September 11, local time, with representatives from 35 member countries in Vienna. Last Monday, Reuters reported, citing an IAEA report it had seen, that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile up to 60% purity continues to increase, despite some dilution, although the growth rate has slowed. Vedant Patel, the Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, recently stated that the production of uranium enriched to 60% by the Islamic Republic has 'no credible peaceful purpose.' Furthermore, previous reports from Reuters, the Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse indicated that Iran's enriched uranium reserves at the 60% purity level, 'which is close to the level needed for nuclear weapon production,' continue to rise, and no progress has been made in negotiations with the Islamic Republic regarding sensitive issues such as the origin of uranium particles at undeclared sites.