The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said on Monday that talks with Iran over resuming inspections at its nuclear facilities have made progress, but warned that “not much time” remains to reach an agreement.
Addressing the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna, Grossi expressed cautious optimism. “Progress has been made. It is my sincere hope that within the next few days it will be possible to come to a successful conclusion of these discussions,” he said, without specifying a deadline.
Tehran curtailed cooperation with the UN watchdog in July, after passing a law requiring its Supreme National Security Council to approve any future inspections. The move followed Israeli and US strikes on Iranian cities and key nuclear sites — including Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan — during a 12-day war in June.
Iran accused the IAEA of indirectly enabling the assault by issuing a critical report a day before the attacks, claiming Tehran had violated the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The watchdog’s refusal to condemn the strikes further strained relations.
Uranium stock concerns
Grossi confirmed that the IAEA has not received updated information on Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium since the June attacks. “By and large, the material is still there. But, of course, it needs to be verified. Some could have been lost,” he said, adding that there was no indication of large-scale movement of nuclear material.
European pressure
Last month, France, Germany and the United Kingdom triggered a mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran, citing a lack of progress on the nuclear programme. The move comes ahead of the expiration of the 2015 nuclear deal in October, further isolating Iran diplomatically.
