IAEA chief: Deeply concerned Iran hiding nuclear material

“After many months, Iran has not provided the necessary explanation for the presence of the nuclear material particles at the 3 locations where the Agency has conducted complementary accesses."

By YONAH JEREMY BOB
A view of the water nuclear reactor at Arak, Iran December 23, 2019. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS (photo credit: REUTERS)
A view of the water nuclear reactor at Arak, Iran December 23, 2019. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
(photo credit: REUTERS)
International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi on Monday told the organization’s Board of Governors that he is “deeply concerned” that Iran is hiding nuclear material, given its refusal to clarify open issues over an extended period.
“After many months, Iran has not provided the necessary explanation for the presence of the nuclear material particles at any of the three locations where the Agency has conducted complementary accesses,” he said.
Grossi stated: “In the absence of such an explanation from Iran, I am deeply concerned that nuclear material has been present at the three undeclared locations in Iran and that the current locations of this nuclear material are not known by the Agency.”
In addition, he said, “nor has Iran answered the questions with regard to the other undeclared location, or clarified the current location of natural uranium in the form of a metal disc.
“I am concerned that the technical discussions between the Agency and Iran have not yielded the expected results and of the consequent lack of progress in clarifying these safeguards issues,” said the IAEA chief.
Moreover, he noted “the requirement for Iran to clarify and resolve these issues without further delay by providing information, documentation and answers to the Agency’s questions.
“The lack of progress in clarifying the Agency’s questions concerning the correctness and completeness of Iran’s safeguards declarations seriously affects the ability of the Agency to provide assurance of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program,” said Grossi.
At a press conference later on Monday, Grossi came on even stronger saying he would demand “extreme clarity on what is really going on,” from Iran and would not just back off because time passes.
There is “no danger today, but it is something that needs to be answered – there is no way around this, there is no way around this,” he repeated for emphasis.
Describing rising tensions in negotiations between the IAEA and Iran he said talks are “becoming increasingly difficult,” and referenced last second drama leading to a delayed press conference in late May over whether the agency would continue to get access to the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites.

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Further, he stated that when the IAEA and the Islamic Republic extended their deal for access to nuclear sites in February there had been a joint statement – something missing from the extension of cooperation until June 24 announced in May.
The June 24 deadline for the lifting of US sanctions comes only days after the June 18 Iranian presidential election.
There is speculation that the likely election of hard-liner Ebrahim Raisi could provide a new window for Tehran to extend its cooperation with nuclear inspectors or even complete the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) nuclear deal negotiations.


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