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UN watchdog, Western nations call on Iran to restart nuclear cooperation
TL;DR
The UN nuclear watchdog has urged Iran to resume inspections of its nuclear sites, while the US and European nations seek clarity on Iran's enriched uranium stores. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi emphasized the importance of Tehran's cooperation for oversight of its nuclear program.
Key points
- UN nuclear watchdog calls for Iran to resume inspections
- US and European nations demand information on enriched uranium
- IAEA chief emphasizes importance of Tehran's cooperation
Mentioned in this story
International Atomic Energy AgencyRafael GrossiUnited StatesEuropean UnionIsrael
The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has called on Iran to “re-engage” with inspections of its nuclear sites while the US and European partners have demanded information on the whereabouts of the country’s stores of enriched uranium.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday that it is “very important” that Tehran “re-engage” to allow the international watchdog to continue oversight of its nuclear programme.
United States President Donald Trump has said that the need to prevent Iran producing a nuclear weapon is a key driver of the ongoing military operation against Iran. Tehran insists that its nuclear programme is purely for civilian purposes.
Israel and the US bombed Iran’s nuclear sites last year. The condition of its infrastructure and whereabouts of its stores of enriched uranium remain unknown.
“It’s very important that we re-engage,” Grossi said as he opened a quarterly Board of Governors meeting.
He urged Tehran in a written statement to engage with IAEA “constructively in order to facilitate the full and effective implementation of safeguards in Iran,” referring to inspections.
The US meanwhile, alongside the UK, France and Germany, requested that the board pass a resolution ordering Iran to provide clear information on the bombed sites and enriched uranium.
The draft said Iran must provide “precise information on nuclear material accountancy and safeguarded nuclear facilities in Iran” and grant the IAEA “all access” to inspect and verify sites, according to the AFP news agency.
The resolution was expected to pass, as a similar initiative did last November. However, it could complicate the ongoing Pakistani-led efforts to negotiate a deal between Washington and Tehran.
Iran’s mission to the IAEA appeared to warn as much in a statement on X, noting that “coercion and confrontation do not lead to cooperation” but “undermines prospects of a diplomatic solution”.
“The Board must not be instrumentalised to relieve those who carried out these attacks of their responsibility,” the statement said, referring to the US bombings of its facilities.
Little access
Last June, as Israel’s 12-day war on Iran was under way, the US bombed Iran’s Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites in an attack known as Operation Midnight Hammer.
Q&A
What did the IAEA chief say about Iran's nuclear inspections?
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi called on Iran to 're-engage' with inspections of its nuclear sites to ensure continued oversight of its nuclear program.
Why are the US and European nations concerned about Iran's enriched uranium?
The US and European nations are demanding information on the whereabouts of Iran's enriched uranium stores due to concerns over the potential development of nuclear weapons.
What is Iran's stance on its nuclear program?
Iran insists that its nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes, despite international concerns about its potential military applications.
