Iranian authorities announced on Saturday, as reported in the state-controlled media, that an understanding has been reached to strengthen the IAEA monitoring of nuclear activities undertaken by Iran.
As reported by IRNA news agency, the Director of the Iranian nuclear agency Mohammad Eslami has said, ‘We have increased capacity it is natural that the number of inspections should also increase. The passage of time and the nuclear activities and materials change the requirement for the draft to have more liveliness and urgency.’
The statements were made after the IAEA report mentioned that Iran had reversed its initial stance and agreed to increase the level of inspections on its Fordo enrichment plant and increase the frequency of those inspections as well. The report mentioned that Iran’s government obliged itself to increase the level of scrutiny at that site that the agency requested.
Last week, the IAEA disclosed that Fordo has been improved for enhanced uranium enrichment levels which have been reported to be at 60% purity level, with the 90% requirement for weapons being in close reach. According to Iran, its nuclear program is for peaceful use only and the country is not interested in nuclear arms proliferation.
Eslami said that Iran respects the NPT and the agreement to allow IAEA to perform inspections under the safeguard agreement, further stating that there are or will be any barriers that can be placed on the inspections.
Tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities have escalated, particularly after Tehran announced plans to launch advanced centrifuges following a recent IAEA board resolution criticizing its lack of cooperation. Western powers, including Britain, France, and Germany, condemned Tehran’s actions and urged it to reverse its latest steps.
The nuclear dispute has heightened since the United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal under former President Donald Trump, a move that dismantled sanctions relief in exchange for limits on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. European powers have since warned of restoring UN sanctions to prevent further nuclear advancements by Tehran.
