WANA (Nov 20) – Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has announced that Iran has agreed to halt the expansion of its uranium enrichment to 60%, following a request from the agency.

 

In his opening remarks at the IAEA’s Board of Governors meeting, which began on November 20, 2024, and will run until November 22, Grossi provided an update on Iran’s nuclear program. He noted that since his last report, Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 20% and uranium-235 enriched to 60% had increased.

 

Grossi stated that during high-level talks between the IAEA and Iran on November 14, 2024, in Tehran, discussions focused on technical verification measures necessary to confirm the suspension of the expansion of Iran’s 60% enriched uranium stockpile.

 

On November 16, 2024, IAEA verification confirmed that Iran had initiated preliminary actions at its Fordow facility to stop the increase of uranium-235 to 60%. The IAEA expects continued engagement with Iran on this issue.

 

He also highlighted that it has been three years and nine months since Iran suspended its nuclear commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including its implementation of the Additional Protocol.

 

As a result, the IAEA has been unable to carry out comprehensive monitoring, losing access to crucial information on the production of centrifuges, rotors, bellows, heavy water, and uranium ore concentrate.

 

Grossi reiterated Iran’s claim that it has declared all necessary nuclear materials, activities, and sites under its safeguards agreement with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, the IAEA continues to raise concerns based on the discovery of uranium particles of human origin at undeclared sites in Iran, and the agency is seeking access to these locations to resolve the issue.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi shakes hands with Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami during a news conference in Tehran, Iran, November 14, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

The IAEA Director General noted that Iran is still not implementing the required Code 3.1, which mandates the declaration of new nuclear facilities. He stressed that the resolution of outstanding safeguard issues is essential for the IAEA to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful.

 

Regarding his recent visit to Iran, Grossi referred to detailed discussions on issues outlined in the March 2023 Joint Statement, including discrepancies in nuclear material balances and potential actions related to the Varamin site.

 

On Israeli claims regarding an attack on Parchin, Grossi stated that the site is not considered a nuclear facility, and there is no evidence of nuclear materials at the location.

 

He also mentioned that Iran agreed to address concerns over the removal of several experienced IAEA inspectors in the past by considering the appointment of four new expert inspectors, a decision Grossi welcomed.