VIENNA: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said Iran’s estimated stockpile of enriched uranium has reached more than 30 times the limit set in the 2015 agreement between Tehran and the international powers.
Planned talks between Iran and to resolve the impasse over Tehran’s nuclear programme have been postponed after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi this month, the agency said on Monday.
One day after the May 19 helicopter crash which killed Raisi and others Iran said that because of the special circumstances, it was no longer appropriate to hold substantive talks and a new date would be set, western media reported quoting a confidential report.
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have repeatedly soared since a 2015 deal curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief fell apart.
In recent years, Tehran has reduced its cooperation with the IAEA by deactivating surveillance devices needed to monitor the nuclear programme and stopping UN inspectors.
The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi visited Iran earlier this month, in an attempt to improve cooperation with Tehran. After returning from his tour, Grossi complained of completely unsatisfactory cooperation.
In a separate confidential report seen by the media head of an IAEA board of governors’ meeting next week, the agency said Iran’s estimated stockpile of enriched uranium had reached more than 30 times the limit set in the 2015 agreement.
According to the report, Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile was estimated at 6,201.3 kilogrammes as of May 11, up by 675.8 kilogrammes from the last report in February.
EU-mediated efforts to revive the nuclear agreement bringing the US back on board and Iran back into compliance have failed so far to bring any positive results.
