Scholz: 'Preventing Iran from Producing Highly Enriched Uranium' is a 'Significant Action' in a New Era of Nuclear Disarmament

Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, called for international negotiations on nuclear disarmament on Tuesday, stating that preventing the Islamic Republic from 'producing highly enriched uranium,' which could lead to 'nuclear weapon production,' is the 'most important action in the new era of nuclear disarmament.' The German Chancellor also mentioned that not only Russia and the United States, but 'China' must also participate in this matter. Scholz emphasized that nuclear weapons pose a 'threat to humanity,' which is why there is an 'immediate commitment' to take 'any action' to ensure these weapons are never used. According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the number of operational nuclear weapons increased in 2022 due to long-term modernization and development programs by countries. Earlier, Voice of America reported that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had made 'no progress' in implementing the activities outlined in a recent joint statement with the Islamic Republic. Rafael Grossi, the Director-General of the IAEA, stated in his latest report titled 'NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran' to the Board of Governors: 'Unfortunately, there has been no progress in implementing the activities outlined in the joint statement signed on March 4 in Tehran.' Grossi specified that 'Iran still needs to provide credible technical explanations for the presence of human-origin uranium particles in Varamin and Torqozabad and inform the Agency of the current locations of related nuclear materials and/or contaminated equipment.' He added that the Islamic Republic must also resolve the existing discrepancies in the nuclear material balance assessment related to 'uranium conversion facilities' and implement the 'revised Code 3.1.' The Director-General noted that remaining safeguards issues stem from Iran's commitments under the 'Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement' and that 'the Agency can only guarantee that Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful if these issues are resolved.' The U.S. representative at the Board of Governors stated that the accumulation of high-concentration uranium has no credible peaceful purpose. Additionally, there were exclusive details about the exchange of five Iranian suspects or convicts in the U.S. with five Americans imprisoned in Iran. Ted Cruz criticized the U.S.-Islamic Republic agreement, calling it a $6 billion ransom. Republican lawmakers protested that the release of the Islamic Republic's funds is an incentive for further hostage-taking. The Institute for Science and International Security claimed that the Islamic Republic has the capability to build a nuclear weapon. The Israeli Defense Minister stated that the Islamic Republic has built an airport in southern Lebanon for attacks on Israel. Grossi reiterated that the Islamic Republic must explain the uranium found in Varamin and Torqozabad. The 'Board of Governors' meeting has begun, with the Islamic Republic's nuclear program still on the agenda.