International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi has expressed concerns over Iran’s cooperation, or lack thereof, in addressing the agency’s questions regarding the country’s nuclear program.
Grossi stated on Monday that the Iranian government has repeatedly failed to provide adequate responses, either not answering the agency’s questions or providing unconvincing technical answers. He emphasized that as long as Iran does not support the agency in resolving the outstanding safety monitoring issues, the agency cannot ensure that the country’s nuclear program is solely peaceful.
The IAEA has discovered artificial uranium particles at three undeclared locations in Iran, which were part of a previously unreported structured nuclear program that the country had conducted until the early 2000s, according to Grossi. This has raised concerns about the possibility of the nuclear material being outside of security measures.
Grossi also expressed alarm over the rapid accumulation of over 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, describing it as “very worrying” and contributing to the complexity of the situation.
The IAEA director general is convinced that the only way forward is through a diplomatic solution. He believes that stabilizing the situation in Iran regarding its nuclear program would have a direct impact and bring the Middle East a significant step closer to peace and prosperity.