Iran has given broad assurances to the UN nuclear watchdog that it will eventually assist with the long-stalled investigation of uranium particles found at undeclared sites and even reinstall removed monitoring equipment, the watchdog said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran issued a joint statement on the return of IAEA chief Rafael Grossi from a trip to Tehran, two days ahead of a quarterly meeting of the agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors.
Diplomats said the statement provided little detail, but a significant improvement in relations between the two is likely to fend off Western pressure for another resolution ordering Iran to cooperate. However, Iran had previously made similar promises that yielded little or nothing. The joint statement said Iran expressed its readiness to provide further information and access to address outstanding safeguards issues. A confidential IAEA report to member states seen by Reuters said Grossi “looked forward to the early and full implementation of the joint statement.” Grossi told a news conference at the Vienna airport shortly after landing that Iran must provide access to information, places, and people. Iran will also allow the re-installation of additional monitoring equipment that was put in place under the 2015 nuclear deal but then removed last year in the wake of the US withdrawal from the accord in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump. Trump.
Grossi said further talks between the IAEA and Iranian officials in Iran would take place “very soon.” When asked whether all surveillance equipment would be reinstalled, Grossi answered “yes.” When asked where it would be reinstated, however, he only said that it would be in several places.