Statements by the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the ineffectiveness of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in imposing restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program have prompted a reaction from the Iranian regime.
On Thursday, February 20, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) called Grossi’s remarks “biased,” while Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Legal and International Affairs Minister of the Iranian regime’s Foreign Ministry, described them as “political and unprofessional” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Grossi: Iran Seeking to ‘Sevenfold’ Its Production of 60% Enriched Uranium
On Thursday, during a press conference in Tokyo, Grossi stated that the JCPOA is obsolete in relation to Iran’s nuclear program and that seeking a new framework for an agreement with Iran is necessary.
He went on to describe the JCPOA as an empty shell and said he does not believe anyone still thinks the agreement can play a role at this point.
He added that while the agreement was in effect for some time, regardless of opinions on its benefits or drawbacks, it is now technically obsolete and no longer functional.
Clarifying his remarks, the IAEA chief pointed out that the previous agreement contains outdated elements, such as specifications on the types of centrifuges used by Iran.
However, he noted that in a meeting with Iranian regime Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, both sides agreed that the fundamental philosophy of the JCPOA—which is based on Iran refraining from certain activities in exchange for incentives—could still continue.
In response to these statements, the AEOI said: “At a time when the U.S. and certain Western countries are seeking to exploit this agency for their unjust pressures against Iran, such political and unprofessional remarks could serve as a pretext for their illegitimate ambitions.”
The statement further claims that Grossi has demanded Iran prove that it is not seeking nuclear weapons, adding, “Any rational mind knows that the most fundamental legal principle is the presumption of innocence.” These comments come while there is substantial evidence, including recent revelations by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), that the Iranian regime is continuing to move closer to developing a nuclear bomb.
The protests by this Iranian government body and Gharibabadi against Grossi’s remarks come despite the fact that the IAEA has for years been unable to persuade the Iranian regime to provide a logical explanation for the traces of uranium discovered at its undeclared sites.
Furthermore, Tehran officials have yet to provide an explanation for enriching uranium to 60 percent purity—very close to weapons-grade levels required for a nuclear bomb—only stating that Iran has deviated from its nuclear commitments in response to the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA.
On February 14, the IAEA director-general also warned that Iran intends to “increase sevenfold” its monthly production of 60 percent enriched uranium and cautioned that time is running out to reach an agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program.
He stated that Iran is in the process of increasing its monthly production of 60 percent enriched uranium by approximately seven times. He further noted that by the time the IAEA releases its next report in the coming weeks, Iran will likely have around 250 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent.
Reuters reports that this amount of uranium stockpile, if further enriched to 90 percent, would be sufficient to produce six nuclear bombs.
