Possible resolution unrelated to Iran-US talks: Grossi

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the IAEA’s Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Rafael Grossi, that there is no link between a proposed resolution by the United States and three European powers on Iran’s nuclear non-compliance and recent indirect talks between Tehran and Washington.

He claimed that the draft resolution—put forward by the US, France, Germany, and the UK—should be viewed as part of the agency’s regular oversight responsibilities, not as a political tool tied to broader diplomatic efforts.

Grossi also said that while uranium enrichment is not prohibited under international law, Iran’s continued accumulation of highly enriched uranium cannot be ignored.

“Uranium enrichment per se is not a forbidden activity, which is something my Iranian counterparts always tell,” he later said.

Iran has already warned against the passing of the resolution, saying that it could disrupt the process of the talks. 

"Over the past months I have been working closely and intensively with both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America through active consultations in support of their bilateral negotiation to find a mutually acceptable agreement that ensures the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme," the IAEA director general said at his introductory remarks at the opening session of the IAEA quarterly meeting on Monday. 

Grossi pointed to three Iranian sites, Varamin, Marivan and Turquzabad, saying that "we conducted complementary access in 2019 and 2020. Since then, we have been seeking explanations and clarifications from Iran for the presence of these uranium particles, including through a number of high-level meetings and consultations in which I have been personally involved."

He repeated his previous claims against the peaceful Iranian nuclear program despite all cooperation on the part of Tehran, saying that "Unfortunately, Iran has repeatedly either not answered, or not provided technically credible answers to, the Agency’s questions. It has also sought to sanitize the locations, which has impeded Agency verification activities."

"Arising from this, the Agency also concludes that Iran did not declare nuclear material and nuclear-related activities at these three undeclared locations in Iran. As a consequence of this, the Agency is not in a position to determine whether the related nuclear material is still outside of safeguards, the IAEA chief said. /mehr