Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that since the signing of the JCPOA in 2015, Tehran’s nuclear program has significantly developed. According to Rafael Grossi, the Iranian regime is capable of producing the latest generation of centrifuges, building new facilities, and taking actions far beyond these.
In an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia published on Monday, June 17, Grossi emphasized that the Iranian regime is not considered a completely reliable actor on the international stage and the world is suspicious of Tehran’s nuclear activities.
His remarks come a few days after the Board of Governors approved a resolution proposed by Britain, France, and Germany, known as the Troika, regarding Tehran’s nuclear program with 20 votes in favor, 12 abstentions, and 2 votes against.
The resolution calls on the Iranian regime to improve its cooperation with the IAEA and lift the ban on the entry of “experienced inspectors” from the Agency.
On September 17, 2023, the Iranian regime revoked the permits of a group of IAEA inspectors operating in Iran.
In continuation of his interview with Izvestia, Grossi, while acknowledging the statements of Iranian officials regarding the high number of IAEA inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities, said there are convincing reasons for this.
He added that the IAEA does not follow an anti-Iran policy. “We are not saying that Iran should not use its technological skills and capabilities. Not at all. We are simply saying that the necessary access [for IAEA inspectors] to [Iranian nuclear facilities] will benefit both parties,” he said.
Earlier, Reuters, citing a confidential IAEA report, wrote that on June 9 and 10, the Iranian regime informed the Agency that it would install eight cascades, each containing 174 IR-6 centrifuges, within three to four weeks at the Fordow facility.
This action by Tehran was taken in response to the recent resolution by the Board of Governors.
Grossi: The JCPOA has lost its meaning
In his interview with Izvestia, Grossi emphasized the necessity of returning to diplomacy to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue and simultaneously warned that the JCPOA now exists only on paper and has no meaning. “Nobody applies it, nobody follows it.
According to the IAEA Director General, efforts were made to revive the JCPOA in Vienna, but unfortunately, despite being relatively close to success, they failed for reasons unknown to him.
The European Union wrote in a statement on June 4 that ensuring the Iranian regime does not acquire nuclear weapons is one of the Union’s main security priorities.
The statement expressed regret that Iran has not taken the necessary decisions to return to its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA.
Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Iranian regime, emphasized the continuation of the Iranian regime’s nuclear program on April 24 and considered the sanctions as a means for “flourishing talents” and the emergence of “domestic capacities.”
