Iran's Response to the Agency: No Commitment to Answer All Questions

The Islamic Republic of Iran, in reaction to the IAEA's reports on the JCPOA and safeguards, stated that "Torqozabad" is an industrial site and unsuitable for the storage of nuclear materials. It also claimed that the Agency's questions were based on "fabricated and invalid documents" and that Iran has no obligation to respond to them. In a response presented by Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations, it was stated: "We did not find the source of the reported particles, but the possibility of such particles existing due to sabotage cannot be ruled out." The Islamic Republic also criticized the Agency's report, asserting that verification and monitoring activities defined under the JCPOA should not be reported under the NPT safeguards agreement. Iran reacted to a recent letter from the three European countries, Germany, France, and the UK, claiming that the letter to the President of the Security Council on November 14, 2023, "deliberately disseminates false information regarding Iran's commitments under the JCPOA and its peaceful nuclear program while ignoring the root cause of the current situation surrounding the JCPOA." The three European countries, members of the JCPOA, announced on Thursday, December 2, through a joint statement, their decision not to continue lifting sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Britain, France, and Germany stated in their statement to the IAEA Board of Governors that their action is a "direct response to the serious and increasing non-compliance" of the Islamic Republic and is in line with the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Reuters reported on November 25, citing confidential IAEA reports, that Iran possesses enough uranium enriched to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade, to build three nuclear bombs. The IAEA's new report, published on Wednesday, November 23, stated that negotiations with Iran regarding two important issues—installing additional monitoring and inspection equipment at Iran's nuclear facilities and obtaining satisfactory answers regarding the discovery of uranium traces at two Iranian nuclear facilities—ended without progress. In this context, Laura Holgate, the U.S. ambassador to the IAEA, criticized Iran's actions that have "undermined" the Agency's efforts to ensure the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear program. She stated: "We express serious concern over the Director General's conclusion regarding the undermining of the Agency's ability to guarantee the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program." The continued criticisms of the IAEA Director General regarding the actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the U.S. ambassador's criticism of Iran's "disruption" of the Agency's activities, and the European Troika's announcement that they will no longer lift sanctions against the Islamic Republic highlight ongoing tensions. The Agency's concern over Iran's actions preventing the activities of the "most experienced" nuclear inspectors continues.