Iran's Islamic Republic Claims 'Positive' Talks with Grossi; Reuters Reports Diplomats Caution Against 'Empty Promises'

Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, said in a joint press conference with Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Isfahan on Tuesday that "Iran's negotiations with the UN nuclear watchdog have been positive and constructive." According to Reuters, Grossi traveled to Iran on Monday hoping to strengthen the IAEA's oversight of Tehran's nuclear activities following several setbacks in recent months, but analysts and diplomats say he has limited leverage and must be wary of empty promises. In 2023, Tehran provided extensive assurances to the UN nuclear watchdog that it would assist in long-standing investigations regarding uranium particles found at undeclared sites and would reinstall removed monitoring equipment. However, IAEA reports to member states indicate that few of these assurances have been fulfilled. Eslami stated in today's press conference, "We will continue interactions on unresolved issues, including matters related to two sites." Iran is enriching uranium to 60% purity, a level close to the 90% required for nuclear weapons. According to the IAEA's official criteria, if this material is enriched beyond this threshold, it would be sufficient for two nuclear bombs. The Islamic Republic of Iran denies seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, but no other country has enriched uranium to this extent without the aim of producing nuclear arms. The IAEA director general, who visited Tehran, met with several officials of the Islamic Republic, including Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Ali Bagheri, and called for transparency from the Iranian government regarding its nuclear program.