Rafael Grossi Visits Natanz and Fordow Enrichment Facilities

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visited two nuclear sites of the Islamic Republic on Friday, November 25, which are at the center of Western concerns. Grossi's trip to Iran comes just days after Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election and speculation about a significant shift in his administration's foreign policy approach towards the Islamic Republic. He visited these sites to negotiate with Iranian officials regarding doubts about the Islamic Republic's nuclear ambitions. On Friday, Grossi toured the enrichment facilities at 'Natanz' and 'Fordow'. In images released by the media, Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, accompanied Grossi during these visits. Grossi's trip to Iran occurs at a time when it is expected that Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States, will adopt a more stringent approach towards the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Meanwhile, the 'New York Times' reported on Thursday that Elon Musk, a billionaire supporter of Donald Trump, met with the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations in an effort to reduce tensions with Iran. Neither Trump's transition team nor the Iranian representation at the United Nations has confirmed this news. Voice of America could not confirm this news at the time of this report. During his first term, Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 'JCPOA' nuclear agreement and adopted a 'maximum pressure' policy. Under that agreement in 2015, the Islamic Republic had agreed to reduce its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of some economic sanctions. The IAEA states that the Islamic Republic has significantly increased its enriched uranium stockpile to 60%, which is very close to the 90% level required for nuclear warhead production. According to the agency, Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country enriching uranium to 60%. Some experts believe that Grossi's visit to these two nuclear facilities is significant in terms of 'technical oversight' and is 'symbolic'. Natanz is the main center for uranium enrichment in the Islamic Republic, and Fordow houses some of Iran's most advanced centrifuges. Grossi's trip comes ahead of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting later this month, where the UK, France, and Germany may propose a new resolution criticizing the Islamic Republic. Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the Islamic Republic's government, stated on Thursday during a meeting with the IAEA head in Tehran that Iran is ready to resolve any 'doubts and ambiguities' regarding its nuclear programs. Meanwhile, Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Islamic Republic's Atomic Energy Organization, threatened Grossi that if a 'interventionist resolution' against Iran is adopted, 'immediate countermeasures' will be taken. Vedant Patel, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated: 'Ultimately, what we want to see from Iran is a change in behavior and real action, not just signs of something.' Source: AFP. U.S. State Department: Biden will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. Grossi in Tehran: Preventing 'war' depends on 'tangible results' of negotiations. European efforts to pass a resolution against the Islamic Republic at the IAEA. Grossi: The maneuvering space regarding the Islamic Republic's nuclear program is decreasing. Reuters: Addressing the nuclear threat from the Islamic Republic is on Trump's agenda. Grossi: Iran has shown 'signs of willingness' to return to nuclear negotiations.