SEOUL, South Korea — The director of the International Atomic Energy Agency emphasized Wednesday that comprehensive monitoring protocols for Iran’s nuclear operations must be central to any potential peace agreement between the United States and Iran.
Rafael Grossi, who leads the U.N.’s atomic energy oversight body, highlighted the importance of establishing thorough verification systems for Iran’s nuclear activities, as President Donald Trump indicated Tuesday that additional negotiations with Iran might occur within the coming 48 hours.
The current administration has identified stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as a primary objective in the ongoing conflict. While Iran has consistently maintained it is not pursuing such weapons, the country has resisted accepting restrictions on its atomic energy program.
Recent diplomatic efforts in Pakistan over the weekend between both nations did not yield a breakthrough. The White House pointed to Iran’s nuclear program as a major obstacle, though an Iranian diplomatic source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the private discussions, disputed claims that the nuclear issue caused the talks to stall.
“Iran has a very ambitious, wide nuclear program so all of that will require the presence of IAEA inspectors,” Grossi explained to journalists in Seoul. “Otherwise, you will not have an agreement. You will have an illusion of an agreement.”
The IAEA chief emphasized that any nuclear technology accord “requires very detailed verification mechanisms.”
Following a 12-day conflict in June, Iran has blocked IAEA inspectors from accessing nuclear sites that were targeted by Israeli and American forces, according to a classified IAEA document distributed to member nations and obtained by The Associated Press in February.
The document highlighted that inspectors “cannot verify whether Iran has suspended all enrichment-related activities,” or determine the “size of Iran’s uranium stockpile at the affected nuclear facilities.”
While Iran continues to assert its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, the IAEA and Western governments maintain that Tehran operated a coordinated nuclear weapons development effort until 2003.
According to IAEA assessments, Iran possesses 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity, which represents a relatively brief technical process away from the 90% weapons-grade threshold.
Grossi previously stated that this uranium stockpile could potentially produce up to 10 nuclear weapons if Iran chose to weaponize its program.
IAEA protocols typically require monthly verification of such highly enriched nuclear materials.
