IAEA’s Grossi to Iran: not much time left in talks on inspections
Time is running out in talks between the U.N. nuclear watchdog and Iran on how to fully resume inspections, the IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday, adding that he hoped the discussions would conclude within days.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has not had access to Iran’s key nuclear facilities since the 12-day war in June. Iran passed a law after the attacks on its nuclear facilities, suspending cooperation with the IAEA and saying any inspections had to be approved by its Supreme National Security Council.
The IAEA and Iran are now in talks on the “modalities” of a full resumption of inspections, though Grossi says that does not alter Iran’s duty to allow verification measures such as inspections as a party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
“There is still time, but not much. Always enough when there is good faith and a clear sense of responsibility,” Grossi said in a statement to a quarterly meeting of the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors.
“Progress has been made. It is my sincere hope that within the next few days it will be possible to come to a successful conclusion of these discussions in order to facilitate the resumption, the full resumption, of our indispensable work with Iran,” he added.
In response, Iran’s foreign ministry said Tehran will communicate its position “through an official note”, adding that it expected a “fair assessment taking into account the June attacks on its nuclear sites,” Tasnim News Agency reported, citing ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei.
“This is a unique situation, and no inspection protocols existed for these circumstances. The Agency understands that Iran’s perspectives must be taken into account,” Baqaei said.
The spokesperson added that this understanding has been discussed over three rounds of negotiations in Tehran and Vienna, describing the process as “positive”.
It is noteworthy that talks between the two sides are taking place against the backdrop of Europe’s top three powers having initiated a 30-day process on Aug. 28 to re-impose sanctions on Iran.
