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🇮🇱 Israel /Energy & Infrastructure

IAEA chief urges Iran to re-engage on nuclear inspections, clarify enriched uranium status

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Under investigation
  • UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi urged Iran to resume engagement for inspections at sites bombed a year ago, where nuclear material remains unaccounted for.
  • The US, backed by European allies, is pushing for a resolution demanding Iran provide "precise information" on the bombed sites and enriched uranium.
  • Iran warned the IAEA board against being used to absolve responsibility for the bombings, stating that coercion and confrontation hinder cooperation.

Rafael Grossi, the chief of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has called on Iran to re-engage with the agency to resume inspections at sites that were bombed approximately one year ago. Communication with Tehran is described as "broken," according to Grossi, as the US leads efforts at the agency's board for a resolution demanding answers regarding Iran's enriched uranium.

It's very important that we re-engage

— Rafael GrossiGrossi told the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors on the first day of a quarterly meeting.

Iran has yet to provide the IAEA with details about the status of the bombed nuclear sites or the nuclear material, including uranium enriched to near weapons-grade, that was stored there. While the bombings significantly damaged enrichment facilities, a substantial amount of highly enriched uranium, some up to 60% purity, is believed to have survived. Grossi emphasized the importance of re-engagement, stating, "I call on Iran to engage the Agency constructively in order to facilitate the full and effective implementation of safeguards in Iran."

I call on Iran to engage the Agency constructively in order to facilitate the full and effective implementation of safeguards in Iran

— Rafael GrossiGrossi added in a separate, written statement to the board.

The IAEA has conducted limited inspections at non-bombed sites, but these were halted in February due to renewed military strikes. Currently, inspections are confined to Iran's operating power plant at Bushehr. Grossi noted, "I have sporadic contacts with the foreign minister and others, but basically the channel of communication is broken."

I have sporadic contacts with the foreign minister and others, but basically the channel of communication is broken

— Rafael GrossiGrossi told a press conference after he addressed the board.

Concurrently, the US, supported by Britain, France, and Germany, is advocating for a board resolution requiring Iran to supply "precise information" about the bombed sites and enriched uranium "without delay." While the resolution is expected to pass, it could complicate ongoing talks between the US and Iran aimed at extending a ceasefire and potentially leading to broader discussions on Iran's nuclear program. Iran's mission to the IAEA responded on X, warning the board not to be "instrumentalized to relieve those who carried out these attacks of their responsibility," and asserting that "Coercion and confrontation do not lead to cooperation."

Responsibility for an internationally wrongful act rests with the perpetrator and cannot be transferred to the victim. The Board must not be instrumentalized to relieve those who carried out these attacks of their responsibility

— Iran's mission to the IAEAIran's mission to the IAEA said on X, referring to the draft resolution and the fact that the US bombed its nuclear facilities.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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