Middle East Desk
Report
TEHRAN: As nuclear talks to restore Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal appear likely to be extended, a report by the global nuclear watchdog has highlighted its complicated monitoring relationship with Iran.
In a report circulated, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran has failed to thoroughly explain traces of uranium found at several previously undeclared sites. “After many months, Iran has not provided the necessary explanation for the presence of the nuclear material particles at any of the three locations where the agency has conducted complementary accesses inspections,” the IAEA told member states.
The United Kingdom, France and Germany, the three European powers party to Iran’s nuclear deal, tried to censure Iran at the IAEA board of governors, with backing from the United States, earlier this year but dropped their plan after Iran agreed to cooperate with international experts. Another board meeting is due later this month, but pursuing a similar plan by the European powers could directly endanger ongoing talks in Vienna to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as the nuclear deal is formally known.
Iran’s nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi wrote a letter to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi after the latest agency report was published. He pointed out in the letter that Iran recently agreed to keep recording its nuclear facilities for another month in order to continue technical negotiations with the agency. “On safeguards, Iran has so far done its utmost efforts to cooperate with the agency substantively and provide the necessary clarifications and responses,” Gharibabadi tweeted, adding Iran will continue to cooperate.
