WANA (Mar 03) – The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, presented his latest report on Iran’s nuclear program at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting on Monday.

 

He stated that Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium has reached 275 kilograms, marking a significant increase compared to the previous report. Reiterating politically charged concerns, Grossi described this level as “worrisome”, adding, “Iran is the only country enriching uranium to this level without possessing nuclear weapons.”

 

Concerns Over Access and Safeguarding Issues

Grossi also raised concerns over Iran’s nuclear transparency, claiming that Tehran halted the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol four years ago, restricting enhanced IAEA access. “This situation hampers more precise monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program,” he alleged, urging Tehran to resume cooperation.

 

Referring to undisclosed uranium particles reportedly found at previously unreported sites, Grossi claimed that the IAEA has yet to receive a satisfactory explanation regarding their origin and fate. “The agency must know where these nuclear materials are now and how they have been used,” he asserted.

 

He further pointed to discrepancies in the nuclear material balance related to Iran’s uranium metal production experiments at the Jaber Ibn Hayyan laboratory, stating that Iran has yet to provide a precise accounting.

 

Additionally, Grossi accused Iran of failing to implement the modified Code 3.1 of its Safeguards Agreement, which requires countries to notify the IAEA before constructing new nuclear facilities. Iran has previously clarified that it suspended the implementation of this clause in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and in line with its Strategic Action Plan to counter sanctions.

 

Calls for Increased Diplomacy and Possible Visit to Tehran

Grossi emphasized that unresolved safeguard issues remain a serious concern and claimed that they are directly tied to Iran’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement obligations. He urged Tehran to address these issues to provide assurances about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.

 

Without acknowledging that Iran’s proposals on inspector access were voluntary, Grossi criticized Iran for rejecting the appointment of four additional experienced IAEA inspectors. “I deeply regret that despite expressing willingness to review the selection, Iran ultimately did not approve their appointment,” he said.

 

The IAEA chief also claimed that no meaningful progress has been made on implementing the March 4 joint statement between Tehran and the agency, urging Iran to engage seriously in fulfilling its commitments.

 

Grossi announced that, following a November 2024 IAEA resolution, he is preparing a comprehensive report on alleged undeclared nuclear materials linked to Iran’s past and present nuclear activities.

 

U.S. Approach to Iran Nuclear Deal and Diplomatic Outlook

Amid broader geopolitical discussions, Grossi referred to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about pursuing “some kind of agreement” with Iran. “This itself is a signal. They [U.S. officials] want to understand our perspective, and we are compiling a comprehensive report that has garnered significant attention,” he noted.

 

He reaffirmed that any verification of Iran’s nuclear program must involve the IAEA, adding, “We have always proposed feasible technical solutions and remain ready to ensure verification of Iran’s nuclear activities.”

 

Grossi acknowledged the urgency of high-level diplomatic engagement, revealing that his November 2024 visit to Tehran, where he met with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, created a foundation for constructive dialogue. He expressed hope for a follow-up visit soon to continue negotiations and achieve tangible results.

 

Iran’s Stance and Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

Iran’s nuclear program has long faced politically motivated pressure and accusations from the West. Before the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Western nations sought to securitize Iran’s nuclear issue through sanctions and military threats. However, the closure of the Possible Military Dimensions (PMD) file in 2015 eliminated this pretext.

 

Following the JCPOA’s signing, Iran fully complied with its obligations. However, the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018, with Europe failing to uphold its commitments. In response, Iran reduced its compliance with the JCPOA framework. Efforts to revive the deal stalled due to Western delays and excessive demands.

 

Despite these challenges, Iran has maintained cooperation with the IAEA and signaled readiness to restore the agreement if all parties return to full compliance. Recent talks with European powers in Geneva demonstrate Tehran’s commitment to a diplomatic resolution—provided that verifiable guarantees for lifting sanctions are secured.