International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi on Monday urged Iran to immediately implement the agreement it signed with the UN watchdog last week to resume inspections at the country’s bombed nuclear sites.
"It is now time to implement the agreement ... A return of IAEA inspectors and the resumption of safeguards implementation in Iran would serve as a good sign that agreements and understandings are possible," Grossi said at the IAEA General Conference in Vienna on Monday.
Grossi's remarks come a week after Iran and the IAEA signed a new agreement in Cairo on the practical modalities to resume inspection activities in Iran. He described the new arrangement as a framework to resume technical work and rebuild trust.
“Now it’s up to us together, Iran and the agency to implement it, restore confidence, and move forward,” he said.
The deal appeared to break an impasse between the UN nuclear watchdog and Tehran after the latter refused to let inspectors resume their work following surprise US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites in June.
But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared to swiftly add a note of caution following its inking, saying details and restored relations must yet be explored.
Peace in peril
Grossi said that when the agency can fully carry out its mandate and answer all outstanding questions, “there will be no doubt and peace is guaranteed.”
“When that ability is compromised or limited, or when we cannot do what we are supposed to do, then international peace and security are indeed at risk,” Grossi added.
Grossi warned that history had shown the dangers of restricting the agency’s work, saying, “We have seen this throughout history, particularly though not only in the Middle East, and dramatically last June in Iran."
Israel launched a surprise military campaign on June 13 targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, including senior commanders and nuclear officials in a conflict that lasted 12 days.
On June 22, the United States joined the campaign, striking nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Washington brokered a ceasefire on June 24.
In response, Iran’s parliament passed legislation suspending all cooperation with the IAEA, but international pressure has grown for Tehran to restore ties with the agency.
Last month, France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered the UN snapback sanctions mechanism, leaving a 30-day window for diplomacy before sanctions are due to take effect on October 18.
One of the demands of the three European countries is the immediate resumption of full work between Iran and IAEA.
However, ultraconservative lawmaker Hamid Rasaee said Sunday that the deal with the IAEA contains no clause preventing the reimposition of UN sanctions on Tehran under the snapback mechanism.
