US and European Powers Warn About Iran's Nuclear Activities: The Patience of the Board of Governors Has Its Limits

The United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany issued a joint statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), calling for the "full" and "immediate" implementation of Iran's safeguard commitments. In the beginning of their statement, they expressed appreciation for Rafael Grossi's efforts in verifying Iran's compliance with its safeguard commitments, stating that Iran's refusal to address major outstanding issues over the past years has prevented the IAEA from assuring that Iran's nuclear program is "purely peaceful." According to the statement, Grossi's latest report indicates that no progress has been made, and Iran has not provided credible technical explanations in response to the IAEA's questions regarding previously undeclared materials and activities in Torqozabad and Varamin. The four Western powers further added that Iran's continued "obstruction" of its safeguard commitments under the NPT and the commitments outlined in the March 2023 joint statement is contradictory. They reminded of Iran's history of secrecy regarding its nuclear facilities, unresolved past and current issues, and public statements by current and former officials about Iran's technical capabilities to build nuclear weapons, warning that Tehran's actions have increased doubts about the "purely peaceful" nature of Iran's nuclear activities. The statement from the four Western powers notes that Grossi's report raises several concerning issues, including the amount of uranium in solid waste sent from the Jabir Ibn Hayyan multipurpose laboratory to the Isfahan nuclear facility for processing and destruction, which is less than the amount reported by Iran in 2003 and 2004. According to this statement, the IAEA has informed Iran in its new report that regarding uranium metal tests conducted at the Jabir Ibn Hayyan multipurpose laboratory between 1995 and 2000, the amount of unidentified nuclear materials is greater than previously reported by the Agency. The four powers condemned Iran's refusal to rescind its decision to expel several IAEA inspectors despite international requests and expressed hope that Tehran would reverse this decision. They stated that instead of taking advantage of existing opportunities for constructive engagement to resolve outstanding issues, Iran has refrained from taking any tangible action. The US, UK, France, and Germany, referencing the November 2022 Board of Governors resolution, which was reiterated by the Board three months ago, noted that Iran must provide credible explanations regarding the presence of uranium particles at undeclared sites, report the current location of these particles or contaminated materials to the Agency, provide all necessary information, documents, and responses required by the Agency, and facilitate the Agency's access to the locations and materials it needs. They indicated that since Grossi's last quarterly report three months ago, there has been no sign of a change in Iran's behavior pattern based on procrastination. They warned that the Board of Governors' patience is limited, and if Iran continues to withhold necessary, complete, and unambiguous cooperation with the Agency, further actions will be taken against it. Rafael Grossi announced on Monday, September 10, that Iran's enrichment activities continue at high levels, but do not indicate "a rush towards rapid" enrichment increase. Iran has always claimed that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has no intention of developing nuclear weapons. However, the IAEA and Western countries continue to express their concerns about Tehran's decreasing cooperation with the Agency and the increase in Iran's nuclear activities.