Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the IAEA’s Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Rafael Grossi, said that there is no link between a proposed resolution by the United States and three European powers on Iran’s nuclear non-compliance and recent indirect talks between Tehran and Washington.
"Over the past months I have been working closely and intensively with both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America through active consultations in support of their bilateral negotiation to find a mutually acceptable agreement that ensures the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme," he said.
Grossi named three Iranian sites and said that "we conducted complementary access in 2019 and 2020. Since then, we have been seeking explanations and clarifications from Iran for the presence of these uranium particles, including through a number of high-level meetings and consultations in which I have been personally involved."
He claimed that the draft resolution—put forward by the US, France, Germany, and the UK—should be viewed as part of the agency’s regular oversight responsibilities, not as a political tool tied to broader diplomatic efforts.
Iran has already warned against the passing of the resolution, saying that it could disrupt the process of the talks.
Grossi also said that while uranium enrichment is not prohibited under international law, Iran’s continued accumulation of highly enriched uranium cannot be ignored.
“Uranium enrichment per se is not a forbidden activity, which is something my Iranian counterparts always tell,” he said.
IRNA