VIENNA (AP) — An agreement between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will enhance the monitoring of Iran's nuclear facilities. This accord allows the IAEA full access to all of Iran's nuclear installations and mandates Iran to report on materials that were present at sites attacked by Israel earlier this year. The announcement was made by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi following a meeting that included Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
While the specific details of the agreement were not immediately disclosed, Grossi emphasized its importance in terms of inspection procedures and notification requirements. He stated that the document outlines a mutual understanding for cooperation between Iran and the IAEA, covering all facilities and installations in Iran, including the reporting of nuclear material at sites that have been subjected to attacks. Grossi noted that this arrangement aims to facilitate inspections and access to these sites, although he did not specify a timeline for when inspections would commence.
Grossi highlighted the significance of the agreement despite its technical nature, proclaiming that it marks a resumption of comprehensive cooperation between Iran and the IAEA. In a related context, President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a law on July 2 that previously suspended all cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog, a reaction to Israel's 12-day military involvement against Iran in June, during which Israeli and U.S. forces targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.
Since the onset of the conflict, the IAEA has faced challenges in verifying Iran's stockpile of uranium, which has raised concerns at the United Nations. A confidential report from the IAEA indicated that as of June 13, Iran possessed 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60%. If enriched to 90%, this quantity could potentially yield enough material for ten nuclear weapons, although further expertise would be required to produce a functional weapon.
The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant has been the only site inspected by the IAEA since the outbreak of hostilities, with inspectors observing a fuel replacement operation over two days starting August 27. Following the recent announcement, Foreign Minister Araghchi articulated that the agreement addresses Iran's security concerns and establishes technical frameworks for collaboration with the IAEA. However, he issued a warning that any acts perceived as hostile toward Iran, including the reimposition of U.N. sanctions, would result in Tehran regarding the agreement as nullified.
The timing of this meeting is critical, as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom initiated the process of re-implementing sanctions on Iran on August 28 due to its alleged non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement aimed at curtailing Iran's nuclear weapon development. This enforcement mechanism, known as "snapback," was designed to bypass possible vetoes at the U.N. and could be activated within a month unless diplomatic negotiations between the West and Iran yield an agreement.
European nations have indicated willingness to extend the deadline if Iran resumes direct discussions with the United States regarding its nuclear program, permits U.N. nuclear inspectors access to its sites, and accounts for the more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium the IAEA has identified.
