TEHRAN: In a positive development, Iran has reportedly resolved one of the three cases raised by the United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), regarding its past nuclear activities. The breakthrough comes as the board of governors of the IAEA prepares to convene to review the progress made in addressing the remaining concerns.
According to Iranian media reports, Iran has resolved the case related to the alleged site in Abadeh, known as the Marivan site, in the southern province of Fars. The site is the first of the three locations identified by the IAEA where traces of radioactive material were found but were not declared by Iran as having hosted past nuclear activity. The improvement in interactions between Iran and the IAEA has led to the resolution of this particular case, as reported by Iran’s Fars news agency.
The remaining two sites, Varamin and Turquzabad, still need to be addressed under the work plan agreed upon by Iran and the IAEA in March of the previous year. The IAEA’s concerns about these sites have been a significant obstacle in reviving the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers. The agreement suffered a setback when the United States unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018.
Iran Never Intends to Enrich Uranium Beyond 60%
Additionally, Iran has reportedly addressed the IAEA’s concerns regarding the discovery of uranium enriched to levels close to those required for a nuclear warhead. Iran clarified that the enrichment to 83.7 percent was likely the result of unintended fluctuations in the enrichment process, as its intention had never been to enrich uranium beyond 60 percent.
This level still falls well short of the 90 percent required for weaponization. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, denying any ambition to develop nuclear weapons.
The resolution of one of the IAEA’s concerns and the addressing of uranium enrichment issues by Iran signal positive progress in reducing tensions surrounding its nuclear program. However, the remaining obstacles, including the two unresolved sites, must be resolved to pave the way for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal.
