IAEA Rejects Iran's Proposal for Inspection of 'Marivan Site'

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday, December 20, rejected Iran's invitation for inspectors to visit the 'Marivan site.' It is reported that Iran may have conducted tests related to nuclear bomb construction at this location. The IRNA news agency published the speech of Reza Najafi, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the IAEA, stating that Iran has invited the agency to visit the Marivan site. Mr. Najafi said at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting, 'Iran has expressed its full readiness to provide access to the alleged site in Marivan in connection with one of the most significant claims regarding potential military dimensions and explosive tests.' He added, 'Such claims are made with the aim of misleading the agency and member states. The alleged site has never existed; otherwise, Iran's proposal would have been welcomed immediately. We are still waiting to provide access to the alleged site and demonstrate the baselessness of claims regarding potential military dimensions.' In this context, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing Serge Gas, the IAEA's Director of Public Relations, that the agency's main concern is the military site of Parchin, where it is believed Iran conducted tests related to strong explosive detonators for nuclear bomb construction about a decade ago. The report states that Iran informed the agency last month that it could visit the Marivan site, but the agency prioritizes the military site of Parchin, located southeast of Tehran. However, Iran has so far rejected the agency's request to visit Parchin made three years ago, claiming that it is a secret military site. Reuters writes that the agency has explicitly told Iran that the proposal for inspection of the Marivan site does not alleviate all concerns regarding Iran's potential large-scale explosive tests. In its November 2011 report, based on information provided by 'a member state,' the agency claimed that Iran conducted extensive explosive tests in the Marivan area that could be related to nuclear bomb development. Mr. Najafi told the agency that Iran is willing to provide 'the only opportunity for a managed inspection' of the Marivan site to inspectors. The agency's spokesperson stated on November 30 to Reuters that the issue of visiting the Marivan area is not as simple as Iran claims, but this UN agency will discuss the matter with Iran.