The meeting began on Wednesday at 10:30 am Vienna time at the IAEA headquarters and will continue until Friday, November 22.
Prior to the start of the meeting, the French news agency reported, citing diplomats, that Western countries have officially presented a new resolution against Iran at the IAEA Board of Governors.
Iran seeks cooperation with the IAEA
The Director-General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, held a press conference after his speech at the Board of Governors meeting to answer questions from journalists. In response to a question about Iran's non-increase in 60%-enriched uranium stockpiles, he said, "Iran has accepted my proposal not to expand its stockpiles of 60% enriched uranium and has started taking initial steps to implement this proposal. The IAEA and Iran have reached an agreement, and this is a very important development."
Grossi added, "The Board of Governors must decide whether or not to issue a resolution against Iran."
The IAEA director-general emphasized, "In my view, Iran's commitment not to increase its 60% enriched uranium stockpiles is very important. It was important for me to meet with the President of Iran during my visit. There is a history, but Iran is seeking cooperation with the IAEA, and this will was evident during my bilateral meetings with the president and foreign minister of Iran."
He added, "The visit was a two-day trip. My visit to the Natanz and Fordow facilities was also very important, and we had very useful discussions on important issues. It was a short trip."
In response to a question from a journalist about whether Iran's proposal was sufficient, Grossi said, "It is not sufficient, but it is progress and an achievement that has been made. There is a reality here, and Iran's actions have been acknowledged by the IAEA. This is a solid step in the right direction, and more action is needed."
Iran's policy is not to produce nuclear weapons
He claimed in response to another question, "In my conversation with Iranian officials, no conditions were imposed on limiting 60% uranium enrichment. However, given the developments, this issue may change."
He added, "The NPT is about non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and there are concerns, and the entire global community is worried about this issue. For the first time since Iran distanced itself from its commitments, Iran has taken a new step, and it is valuable. For the first time, they decided to stop, and considering the NPT, this is a very important development."
Grossi emphasized, "When you travel to Iran, you see that Iran's policy is not to produce nuclear weapons, and the Iranian Foreign Minister promised me that Tehran is not seeking to build nuclear weapons, but there are discussions about building nuclear weapons in the Iranian parliament."
Iran did not set a condition for not expanding its 60% reserves
Grossi stated, "Fordow is an important facility, and given its importance, I wanted to visit it personally. Fordow is not a dangerous place. The visit to this facility was very important, and a lot of research is being conducted there, and Iran's progress in building a cascade of centrifuges is very significant."
He added, "As I mentioned earlier, Iranian officials did not set any conditions on not expanding their stockpile of 60% enriched uranium during our conversation."
Grossi emphasized, "Many analysts expected that all issues would be resolved during my trip, and they think my trip was not fruitful, but it was a very important trip. If the resolution is adopted, we will see what happens. This depends on the Board of Governors."
Nuclear facilities should not be targeted
Grossi stated in response to another question about the agency's communication with Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States: "An informal communication channel has been established with the President-elect of the United States, and I hope to meet with him soon."
He added, "I will continue to cooperate with the current US administration."
Grossi responded to a question about the claim made by officials of the Zionist regime, including Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the regime, regarding the damage to Iran's nuclear facilities following the regime's attack on Iran: "No damage has been done to Iran's nuclear facilities. Maybe this has happened in the past. In our opinion, there are no nuclear facilities in Parchin and Taleghan, and there is no information indicating that these facilities are nuclear."
He added, "According to international law, nuclear facilities should not be targeted, and I hope to discuss this issue with Israeli officials during my talks with them."
Consultations with Araghchi were constructive
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency stated in response to another question about his visit to Iran's nuclear facilities, "My conversation with the Iranian Foreign Minister was a very constructive and good conversation, and we discussed many issues, including the current issues at the Board of Governors meeting."
He added, "Certainly, the Iranian government will make a decision based on its own will."
Grossi responded to a question about the "haste" of the agency in submitting a report before the lifting of 6 UN Security Council resolutions against Iran in the framework of Resolution 2231, "Some are looking at the reports submitted and examining the trigger mechanism. However, my approach is sustainable actions. I traveled to Iran last week and achieved a result. We must move step by step and achieve sustainable results so that confrontation decreases and relations become more constructive."
Excerpts from the joint resolution of Europe and the US
In the resolution submitted and registered by the three European countries, Germany, France, and the UK, with the support of the US, without considering Iran's extensive cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, claims and demands have been made:
Iran is required to take "necessary and urgent measures" to resolve the alleged safeguards issues.
Iran is required to provide "credible explanations" without delay regarding "particles of uranium of anthropogenic origin" in two undeclared locations in Iran, and to inform the IAEA of the current location of nuclear material and/or contaminated equipment.
Iran is required to provide the "information, documents, and answers needed by the agency" in this regard and to facilitate access to the locations and materials needed by the agency's inspectors.
Araghchi warns of 'proportionate' response as Europe submits IAEA resolution
Iran warns the United Nations nuclear agency that its potential targeting of the country with “unconstructive measures” will be met with a “proportionate response” on the part of the Islamic Republic as European countries have submitted a new IAEA resolution.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s Director General Rafael Grossi on Wednesday.
“If the opposite parties placed unconstructive measures on the agenda during the [Wednesday] meeting of [the IAEA’s] Board of Governors through issuance of a resolution [against Iran] regardless of the Islamic Republic’s goodwill and interactive approach, the country would respond in a required and proportionate manner,” the top diplomat said.
NOURNEWS