Grossi highlights progress in Iran-IAEA joint statement implementation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
5 Jun 2023 18:19

According to Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA has deployed monitoring cameras in Iranian sites where centrifuge equipment is manufactured.

Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks during a press conference in Vienna, Austria, on December 17, 2021 (AP)

According to Rafael Grossi, the IAEA deployed monitoring cameras in Iranian sites where centrifuge technology is manufactured in early May.

He explained how the IAEA deployed an enrichment monitoring device at the Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites for the first time to monitor the degree of uranium enrichment produced.

According to Grossi, these metrics will assist the agency in swiftly identifying any changes in enrichment levels at these locations.

Claiming that progress had been slower than desired, he stated, "What needs to happen now is a sustained and uninterrupted process that will lead to the fulfillment of all the commitments contained in the joint statement without further delay."

Earlier on May 31, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced in a confidential quarterly report that it had decided to end its investigation into uranium traces allegedly discovered at the Marivan site in Abadeh County, Fars' southwestern province, after receiving a "possible explanation" from the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI).

According to the watchdog, “The agency at this time has no additional questions on the depleted uranium particles detected at Marivan ... and the matter is no longer outstanding at this stage."

The Marivan plant is the first to be handled under an agreement reached between Iran and the IAEA in March. The other two are at Varamin and Turquzabad, both in the suburbs of Iran's capital, Tehran.

The Vienna-based IAEA also noted in its confidential report that its inspectors were no longer concerned about uranium particles discovered to be enriched to 83.7% at Iran's underground Fordow complex.

The report explains how “the agency informed Iran that, following its evaluation of the data, the agency had assessed that the information provided was not inconsistent with Iran’s explanation ... and that the agency had no further questions on this matter at this stage."

On Monday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors convened in Vienna, Austria, with 35 member nations in attendance.

The meeting, which will remain till Friday, will focus on nuclear safety, the execution of safeguards agreements, and the strengthening of the IAEA's scientific and research operations.