Grossi's Request to Eslami: Provide Guarantees on the Peaceful Nature of Iran's Nuclear Program

Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasized the need for credible assurances confirming the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program during a meeting with Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. Grossi wrote on social media platform 'X': 'During my meeting with Mohammad Eslami at the annual IAEA meeting, I reiterated the IAEA's willingness to engage and make tangible progress based on the March 4 statement (Esfand 1401) to provide credible assurances that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful.' Mohammad Eslami is leading a delegation to participate in the IAEA's annual conference in Vienna. In an interview on Wednesday, September 20, Grossi referred to inspections in Iran, stating that the Islamic Republic has limited cooperation with the IAEA inspection teams in retaliation for criticisms. He added: 'I understand that they do not want any sanctions and wish to be part of the international community as a normal country. However, when it comes to nuclear issues, normalcy is achieved through the IAEA, which provides the international community with assurances that everything is proceeding correctly in Iran.' The IAEA Director General expressed regret and described it as 'incomprehensible' that the Islamic Republic has removed a third of the IAEA's best inspectors due to 'certain political considerations.' The U.S. Secretary of State also commented last Friday, noting that Iran's decision to ban some IAEA inspectors from operating in Iran shows that Iranian officials are not interested in playing a responsible role in their nuclear program. Antony Blinken added: 'We have tried to work indirectly with Iran, European partners, and even Russia and China to bring the Islamic Republic back to the nuclear agreement, but Iran has been unable or unwilling to do so.' Blinken criticized Iran's actions regarding the expulsion of several IAEA inspectors, stating: 'Iran's activities regarding nuclear issues are deeply destabilizing and threaten the security of countries not only in the region but beyond, which is why we are determined and will never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.' Blinken: Iran's activities regarding nuclear issues threaten the security of countries in the region and beyond. Mora: A comprehensive and verifiable agreement is the solution to Iran's nuclear program. Grossi, referring to the Islamic Republic's obstruction of inspectors' activities: Joining the international community is possible through the IAEA. The French Foreign Minister called for Tehran's cooperation with the IAEA. A joint statement from France, Germany, Britain, and the U.S. stated that Iran's actions are another step in the wrong direction. Grossi warned the Islamic Republic that failure to cooperate with the IAEA will have consequences. The European Union expressed concern over the suspension of the activities of 'several experienced inspectors' of the IAEA in Iran. Blinken: Iran has no interest in playing a responsible role in its nuclear program.