IAEA Chief Grossi Heads to Iran Amidst Nuclear Tensions and Criticism
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi is traveling to Iran on Monday for a nuclear conference and talks.
The visit occurs amid heightened regional tensions and IAEA criticism of Iran's lack of cooperation on inspections.
Grossi will speak at Iran's International Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology in Isfahan province, near the Natanz uranium enrichment plant, which was reportedly attacked last month.
Both sides reported no damage to nuclear facilities after the attack, which followed Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel's consulate in Damascus.
Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is scheduled to meet with Iranian officials, including Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.
Eslami expressed optimism about the upcoming negotiations, believing they will clarify ambiguities and strengthen relations with the IAEA.
Iran has previously deactivated IAEA monitoring devices and barred inspectors from nuclear facilities, according to the UN agency.
Grossi last visited Iran in March 2023 and met with President Ebrahim Raisi.
Iran suspended its compliance with the nuclear deal's caps on nuclear activities in response to the US withdrawal in 2018 and the reimposition of sanctions.
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have escalated since the deal's collapse, and EU-mediated efforts to bring the US back into the agreement and get Iran to comply with the terms have been unsuccessful.
Iran, which had slowed down its uranium enrichment last year during informal talks with the US, accelerated the production of 60-percent enriched uranium towards the end of 2023.
This is a significant step closer to the 90-percent enrichment required for military use.
The UN nuclear agency, IAEA, reported that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium had reached 27 times the limit set in the 2015 accord.
Iran continues to deny any nuclear weapons ambitions, insisting its activities are peaceful.
The IAEA's chief, Rafael Grossi, visited Iran to discuss concerns, particularly regarding the IAEA's inspectors.
In September, Iran revoked the accreditation of some IAEA inspectors, which the UN agency considered an "extreme and unjustified" move.
Iran justified its decision by accusing the US, France, Germany, and Britain of political abuses.
Eslami, the head of Iran's atomic energy organization, stated that there are over 130 IAEA inspectors in Iran, and Tehran remains dedicated to collaborating with the nuclear watchdog.
Grossi will speak at Iran's International Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology in Isfahan province, near the Natanz uranium enrichment plant, which was reportedly attacked last month.
Both sides reported no damage to nuclear facilities after the attack, which followed Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel's consulate in Damascus.
Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is scheduled to meet with Iranian officials, including Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.
Eslami expressed optimism about the upcoming negotiations, believing they will clarify ambiguities and strengthen relations with the IAEA.
Iran has previously deactivated IAEA monitoring devices and barred inspectors from nuclear facilities, according to the UN agency.
Grossi last visited Iran in March 2023 and met with President Ebrahim Raisi.
Iran suspended its compliance with the nuclear deal's caps on nuclear activities in response to the US withdrawal in 2018 and the reimposition of sanctions.
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have escalated since the deal's collapse, and EU-mediated efforts to bring the US back into the agreement and get Iran to comply with the terms have been unsuccessful.
Iran, which had slowed down its uranium enrichment last year during informal talks with the US, accelerated the production of 60-percent enriched uranium towards the end of 2023.
This is a significant step closer to the 90-percent enrichment required for military use.
The UN nuclear agency, IAEA, reported that Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium had reached 27 times the limit set in the 2015 accord.
Iran continues to deny any nuclear weapons ambitions, insisting its activities are peaceful.
The IAEA's chief, Rafael Grossi, visited Iran to discuss concerns, particularly regarding the IAEA's inspectors.
In September, Iran revoked the accreditation of some IAEA inspectors, which the UN agency considered an "extreme and unjustified" move.
Iran justified its decision by accusing the US, France, Germany, and Britain of political abuses.
Eslami, the head of Iran's atomic energy organization, stated that there are over 130 IAEA inspectors in Iran, and Tehran remains dedicated to collaborating with the nuclear watchdog.
Translation:
Translated by AI
