Iran intentions not enough without strong inspections, IAEA chief says
UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said at a news conference in Japan that the US-Iran memorandum of understanding gives IAEA inspectors access to Iran, pushing back after Tehran suggested key nuclear sites would remain off-limits until a final deal is reached and sanctions are lifted.
“There is an agreement, and to comply with that agreement, the IAEA will have to have access and inspect,” Grossi told reporters in Tokyo, according to Reuters. “We hope to be there soon.”
Grossi said Iran had declared it did not intend to develop nuclear weapons, but added that statements of intent were not enough after the recent conflict.
“But of course intentions are not enough. We have to have a very strong verification system in place,” he said, adding that inspections should resume “as soon as is practicable.”
He also said the IAEA had “barely initiated” talks with Iran on what to do with Tehran’s uranium stockpile following the preliminary agreement with Washington.
“Initial conversations have taken place ... We expect this work to pick up soon,” Grossi said.
Tehran suspended cooperation with the IAEA last July under a law passed by parliament after last year’s 12-day war with Israel, leaving the watchdog with limited visibility over key parts of Iran’s nuclear program.
