2024-08-29 19:31:00
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), must be feeling particularly uneasy. Here’s why: According to his agency, the nuclear program continues to develop even as Tehran denies it wants a bomb.
Specifically, a detailed report from the International Atomic Energy Agency said that on August 17, the stockpile of material was enriched to 60%, close to the 90% needed to develop atomic weapons, reaching 164.7 kg (142.1 kg in May). According to the definition of the UN agency, it is enough to produce more than three bombs.
Stocks of 20% enriched uranium also increased, rising to 813.9 kg (from 751.3 kg previously). As a result, Iran’s total stockpile of enriched uranium now stands at 5,751.8 kg (from 6,201.3 kg in May), 28 times the limit authorized under the 2015 international agreement.
New visit to clarify
As a reminder, the UN’s top executive had already visited the site in early May, amid a tense geopolitical context, when concerns about the Islamic Republic’s intentions were revived. But the death of its leader, Ebrahim Raïssi, put the discussions on hold.
In the confidential document, prepared ahead of a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors set to open on September 9 at the agency’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Rafael Grossi again lamented Iran’s lack of cooperation.
Broken international agreements
In recent years, the Islamic Republic has clearly moved away from the commitments it made within the framework of the international agreement signed in 2015 with the United States, China, Russia, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Known by the acronym JCPOA, the agreement aims to regulate its atomic activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.
But that situation was broken after then-President Donald Trump decided to withdraw US troops in 2018. In the summer of 2022, negotiations to revive him in Vienna failed.
Iran reduces IAEA inspections
In addition to expanding its nuclear activities, Iran has also significantly reduced on-site inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency since 2021, with surveillance cameras disconnected and the expert group’s certification revoked. harm » The institution has the ability to ensure that Peaceful nature » The plan, review report.
This situation also made it possible for Tehran to pass a resolution at the last Council meeting in early June that is symbolically crucial at this stage. If Iran considers this move “ Hasty and unreasonable ”, the country did not react viciously.
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