Nournews: Certain Western media, referring to what they call “The latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” have claimed that Iran intends to increase the speed of its uranium enrichment. These media have reported that Iran has increased its stockpile of enriched uranium at all levels, and the issue can create concerns at the international level. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, has also described the issue as concerning and warned that the time to contain Iran’s nuclear program is running out.
Focusing on the negative aspects of the IAEA’s report, as their usual practice, Western media are trying to provoke the international atmosphere against Iran. Iran has repeatedly said that the reports of the agency and the Western media’s stance are biased and non-professional and has emphasized that the country’s nuclear program has been entirely peaceful and is still under the supervision of the IAEA.
The details of the agency’s report
According to news sources, the report that has been released by the Western media is to be discussed during the meeting of the Board of Governors. However, examination of the content of the report shows that, in comparison with the previous reports, it has not changed very significantly. According to the report, Iran’s enriched uranium reserves have reached 8,295 kg, showing a 25 percent increase compared to the past three months. The report has reiterated that Iran has carried out enrichment at different levels, including at 3.5 percent, 20 percent, and 60 percent.
The important point of the report is that, according to the NPT treaty, no limitations exist for the level and amount of enrichment for the member states, and the only obligation is not to divert nuclear activities towards the production of nuclear weapons. However, Grossi had described uranium enrichment at 60 percent as “almost weapon-grade,” an allegation that has no solid basis from the scientific and legal perspective.
The meeting of the Board of Governors and new pressures on Iran
According to plans, the technical meeting of the agency will be held on Feb. 27, and the issue of Iran will likely be addressed on the agenda of the Board of Governors in the coming days. The history of previous meetings has shown that these meetings have turned into opportunities to increase more political pressure on Tehran. One of the main points of the meeting is reviewing the limitations that Iran has imposed on the entry of some of the agency’s inspectors.
In reports by the Western media, it has been stated that Iran still adheres to its decision of Sept. 2023 and has not issued visas for some of the experienced inspectors of the agency. Tehran has made this decision in response to certain biased approaches of the agency and the political pressures from some countries. On the other hand, it has been said that Iran has limited the access of the agency to the data from surveillance cameras at nuclear facilities, an action that has caused dissatisfaction in the agency.
Iran’s stance against the agency and Grossi’s response
Rafael Grossi, who had recently talked with Western media in Tokyo, once again emphasized his previous claims about Iran’s nuclear program. Reacting to these remarks, Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency issued a statement and emphasized that the agency must maintain its impartiality and professionalism. It has been emphasized in the statement that “Unfortunately, some of Grossi’s remarks lack impartiality and technical characteristics, which raises the concern that the agency has become a tool for more political pressure by the West.”
Also, it was mentioned in the statement that Iran has had the highest level of cooperation with the agency within the framework of its safeguard commitments and that almost one-fourth of the whole investigations of this international body has been allocated solely to Iran’s nuclear facilities. While Iran possesses less than 3 percent of the world’s nuclear facilities, the high level of investigations shows that Iran’s nuclear program has been transparent and there were no secret activities.
The agency’s dual outlook, silence on AUKUS, and focus on Iran
In the statement of Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency, it has been emphasized that the agency has remained silent against some nuclear activities of other countries, including the project of AUKUS. The project, which includes nuclear cooperation among the U.S., Britain, and Australia and the transfer of submarines with weapon-grade fuel, is one of the issues that has created many concerns about the dual approach of the agency. Iran has also criticized the agency, saying it expects the country to cooperate beyond its legal commitments, while it does not address the partial and illegal sanctions by the U.S. that have made Tehran-agency cooperation difficult.
Future landscape
While Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, had described his latest trip to Tehran and talks with Iranian officials as “constructive,” he continues preparing illegal and fully political reports against Iran, yielding to the political will of Western countries. These contradictions in actions and positions of the Director General of the IAEA have caused the credibility of the international body to be questioned more than ever.
On the other hand, Grossi, in his latest talk with the reporter of the Wall Street Journal, has said that “the progress of Iran’s nuclear program will make the problems bigger, not smaller.” He has also said that the agency is determined to prepare a comprehensive report about Iran’s nuclear program that will probably be released in June. Grossi also mentioned that it was a good idea to visit Iran once more before the report is released.
Given these developments, it can be expected that pressures will rise against Iran during the next meeting of the Board of Governors and a new wave of hostile atmosphere will be initiated against Iran’s nuclear program.
NOURNEWS