VIENNA: The Director-General of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, dismissed allegations on Monday that the agency had compromised its standards in the investigation of past Iranian activities. The denial came in response to accusations from Israel, claiming that the agency had succumbed to pressure from Iran.
The controversy revolves around the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) extensive inquiry into the origins of uranium particles discovered at three undisclosed Iranian sites, most of which had shown signs of activity approximately two decades ago.
Grossi addressed the issue during a press conference, firmly stating, “We never ever, never ever water down our standards. We stand by our standards, we apply our standards.” His response came in light of unusually strong criticism leveled against the agency by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.
Both US intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe that Iran had pursued a coordinated nuclear weapons program, which it halted in 2003. Although the uranium particles were detected more recently, the IAEA is obligated to trace the origin of nuclear material that remains unaccounted for. Iran has consistently denied seeking atomic weapons.
The IAEA has long expressed frustration over Iran’s lack of cooperation with its investigation, prompting the agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors to pass a resolution last year, demanding immediate compliance from Iran.
Iran Provides Explanation for Depleted Uranium Traces
In a report to member states last week, Grossi explained that Iran had provided an explanation for depleted uranium traces found at one site called Marivan. The explanation pointed to the presence of a mine and laboratory operated by a country identified by diplomats as the Soviet Union.
The report, seen by Reuters, indicated that Iran had presented a “possible explanation.” As a result, the IAEA stated that it had no further inquiries regarding the depleted uranium particles at Marivan, and the matter was considered resolved at this stage.
Netanyahu dismissed Iran’s explanation as “technically impossible” and accused the agency of succumbing to Iranian pressure, describing it as a stain on its record. However, while the presence of the Soviet-operated mine and lab could account for the uranium particles and the IAEA had no additional questions, a senior diplomat clarified that the agency’s assessment still maintained that Iran had conducted explosives testing relevant to nuclear weapons in that area decades ago.
On Monday, Grossi suggested that Iran had been delaying the reinstallation of monitoring equipment that had been removed at Tehran’s request a year ago. Only a small portion of the equipment outlined in a joint statement between the IAEA and Iran in March has been reinstalled thus far.
Grossi emphasized the need for an uninterrupted process to fulfill all commitments outlined in the joint statement, stating, “What needs to happen now is a sustained and uninterrupted process that leads to all the commitments contained in the Joint Statement being fulfilled without further delay.” This statement was issued to the IAEA board.
The IAEA’s reaffirmation of its standards and ongoing efforts to investigate Iran’s nuclear activities demonstrate its commitment to ensuring transparency and upholding its mandate in the face of complex challenges.
