Iraqchi Does Not Rule Out Inspections of Iran's Military Sites

A senior member of Iran's nuclear negotiation team, Abbas Iraqchi, stated in a television program that while he does not rule out the possibility of inspections of Iran's military sites, the discussions surrounding access to these sites, as presented in society, are not valid. He emphasized that no one in the country would allow foreign access to military facilities. However, he added that under the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), there are provisions for access to sites that the agency may claim have illegal activities. According to the Additional Protocol, which Iran has voluntarily accepted in the Lausanne nuclear agreement, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are permitted to conduct surprise inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities whenever deemed necessary. Members of Iran's negotiation team have indicated that Iran may sign this protocol, but the final decision rests with the Iranian parliament. Iraqchi pointed out that for non-nuclear sites, inspections would not be quick or easy; the agency must provide reasons and evidence for its claims. He stressed that inspections would be highly controlled and only at specific locations, with arrangements to prevent access to other information. Iraqchi's remarks come after he previously stated that Tehran would not accept visits from 'foreign observers' to its military sites. Meanwhile, Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, mentioned that inspectors could sample areas surrounding non-nuclear sites based on the Additional Protocol. Iranian military officials have repeatedly asserted that they will not allow inspections of Iran's military sites. For instance, Hossein Salami, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that the Islamic Republic would respond to visits to its military sites 'with hot lead.' Hassan Firouzabadi, chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, also communicated to the negotiation team that negotiating parties are not permitted to enter Iran's national security rules, defense programs, intelligence, regional policies, or cyber policies. On the other hand, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has emphasized that any agreement with Iran will include oversight of Iran's military facilities. Iraqchi further stated that all potential ways that inspections could lead to possible abuses by agency inspectors have been identified and closed off. He added that access has been arranged in a way that covers security implications and threats. If there were past instances where information may have leaked, it could be due to improper actions on Iran's part. On April 22, 220 Iranian parliament members issued a statement demanding that 'no special oversight beyond the NPT' and any oversight that 'endangers the security of nuclear scientists' be agreed upon. Previously, Javad Karimi Qodosi, a representative from Mashhad, warned about Iran's commitment to convert 'offline cameras' of the IAEA in Iran's nuclear facilities to 'online cameras,' stating that this action exceeds the framework of the Additional Protocol of the NPT. Meanwhile, Gholamali Jafarzadeh Imanabadi, a representative from Rasht, quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying that Iran would not accept the installation of online cameras in nuclear facilities due to past experiences of 'identifying and assassinating' its nuclear scientists. Iraqchi also mentioned that there is a possibility of reaching a final agreement with the 1+5 group before July 2. He added that 'we do not insist on reaching an agreement that is not a good agreement; therefore, we are certainly seeking a good agreement, and this good agreement must be achieved.' Following the Lausanne agreement, Iran and world powers are expected to reach a comprehensive final agreement by July 2. Western diplomats have told Reuters that Western negotiating parties still have disagreements with Tehran on issues such as the lifting of sanctions or oversight and are 'strenuously working' to narrow the gaps.