Grossi: The JCPOA is 'an empty shell'; Iran's reaction

The statements of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the ineffectiveness of the JCPOA in imposing restrictions on the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic have faced a reaction from the Islamic Republic. The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization on Thursday, February 2, described Rafael Grossi's remarks as 'biased,' and Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy for Legal and International Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also called these statements 'political and unprofessional' in a message on X. Mr. Grossi announced on Thursday at a press conference in Tokyo that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding Iran's nuclear program is outdated and that searching for a new framework for an agreement with Iran is essential. He further referred to the JCPOA as 'an empty shell' and stated that he does not believe anyone thinks the JCPOA can currently play a role: 'This agreement was implemented for a while, but now, regardless of opinions about its advantages or disadvantages, it is technically completely outdated and no longer has the necessary effectiveness.' The Director General of the IAEA clarified that, for example, the text of the previous agreement contains outdated topics, including the types of centrifuges used by Iran. However, he mentioned that in a meeting with Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, both sides agreed that the 'philosophy of the existence of the JCPOA,' which is based on 'refraining from certain Iranian activities in exchange for receiving incentives,' can continue. In response to these remarks, the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization stated: 'In a situation where the U.S. and some Western countries are seeking to misuse this organization for their unfair pressures against Iran, these political and unprofessional remarks can become a pretext for their illegitimate ambitions.' Grossi also stated that Iran intends to increase the production of 60% enriched uranium 'sevenfold.' This statement adds that Mr. Grossi has demanded that Iran prove it is not seeking nuclear weapons; 'Any sane mind knows that the most fundamental legal principle is the presumption of innocence.' The objection of this Iranian governmental body and Mr. Gharibabadi to Rafael Grossi's remarks comes at a time when the IAEA has been unable for several years to convince the Islamic Republic to provide a logical explanation regarding the traces of uranium discovered at its undeclared sites. Moreover, Tehran officials have yet to provide an explanation regarding the enrichment of uranium to the 60% level, which is very close to the level required for nuclear bomb production, and they only state that the Islamic Republic has deviated from its nuclear commitments due to the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA. The Director General of the IAEA also warned on February 15 about Iran's intention to increase the monthly production of 60% enriched uranium 'sevenfold,' stating that time is running out to reach an agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program. He said Iran is increasing its monthly production of 60% enriched uranium by nearly seven times: 'By the time of the next agency report in the coming weeks, Iran will have about 250 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%.' Reuters reports that this amount of uranium reserves, if enriched to 90%, could be used to produce six nuclear bombs.