(Vienna) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday condemned Iran’s “extreme” decision to ban several of its inspectors, marking a further deterioration in relations between the two parties.
This “unprecedented” gesture, announced in September, has “directly and seriously affected” the ability to control the Iranian nuclear program which continues to gain momentum, according to the UN body.
By targeting particular nationalities, the measure is “extreme and unjustified”, asserts the Agency in a confidential report consulted by AFP one week before a meeting of the Board of Governors in Vienna.
According to a diplomatic source, eight experts, French and German in particular, are concerned.
Washington, Paris, London and Berlin have unitedly called on Iran to reverse its decision. In vain so far.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi received a letter from Tehran on Wednesday, arguing for “his right” to revoke the accreditation of inspectors while saying he was “exploring the possibilities” of reversing his decision.
“Iran is not completely closing the door, but Mr. Grossi hoped for more,” commented a diplomat, evoking a feeling of “frustration”.
This staff has “rare expertise and knowledge of the sites” that is difficult to replace, he added.
“No progress”
On other issues, the organization also deplored the lack of cooperation from the Islamic Republic after months, even years of fruitless negotiations. “Once again, there has been no progress,” worries the head of the IAEA.
He denounces the disconnection of numerous surveillance cameras and the lack of explanations regarding the traces of uranium discovered in two undeclared places, Turquzabad and Varamin.
So many elements which hinder the mission of the body, responsible for “guaranteeing the exclusively peaceful nature of the nuclear program”.
Because Iran continues its escalation and now has enough material to make several atomic bombs, even if it denies having such intentions.
According to a second report, stocks of enriched uranium amounted to 4486.8 kg as of October 28 (compared to 3795.5 kg in mid-August), or more than 22 times the limit authorized by the international agreement on 2015 regulating Tehran’s atomic activities in exchange for a lifting of international sanctions.
Iran gradually freed itself from the commitments made within the framework of this pact known by the acronym JCPOA, in reaction to the withdrawal of the United States decided in 2018 by the then president, Donald Trump.
Discussions in Vienna to revive it failed last year.
“Trivialization”
Iran has largely exceeded the ceiling set at 3.67%, equivalent to what is used in nuclear power plants for the production of electricity: it has 567.1 kg (compared to 535.8 kg previously) of material enriched with 20% and from 128.3 kg to 60% (compared to 121.6 kg).
In the case of the 60% threshold, close to the 90% necessary to manufacture an atomic weapon, Tehran has however slowed down the pace of production since the spring.
“This is probably a political decision,” said the diplomat.
Experts see this as a possible sign of Iran’s desire to defuse the situation, while informal talks had resumed with the United States.
In recent weeks, the animosity between the two enemy countries has, however, increased a notch with the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas, which Washington and Tehran mutually accuse each other of aggravating.
After this clear observation by the IAEA, the Western powers will consult with a view to the Governing Council.
At the previous meeting, they threatened a resolution, but the subject is overshadowed by a busy international agenda.
Despite a nuclear escalation that was unthinkable until recently, Rafael Grossi recently regretted “a decline in the interest of Member States”, a “trivialization” of the issue.
And warned last month of a “failure” comparable to the North Korean issue.