Additional extension of agreement for monitoring Iranian nuclear sites on the agenda
Tehran had yet to inform the UN whether it will extend the agreement for monitoring its nuclear sites. If the deal is not extended, the Iranians could erase the recordings from February until the end of June
Dan Arkin
| 27/06/2021
Photo Credit: Dean Calma / IAEA
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) demanded Iran over the weekend to provide an immediate answer on whether it will agree to an extension of the nuclear facility monitoring and inspection agreement that has expired. The Iranian representative responded that Iran is not obligated to comply with the request.
The agreement deals with collection of data on various Iranian activities concerning the nuclear issue. The director general of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, said over the weekend in Paris that he had informed Iran that a response is needed to understand Iran's position regarding the possible continued collection, recording and retention of data. According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, Iran's representative Kazem Gharibabadi responded that "Iran is not required to comply."
Besides the IAEA, Washington is also of the opinion that Iran must clarify its stance on the issue of the monitoring agreement, and the refusal to respond is contrary to Iran's claims regarding its willingness to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement. The Vienna talks have been paused but they are scheduled to resume in the beginning of July. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Paris that Iran's stance raises great concern, and that it was made clear to the authorities in Tehran.
In February, Iran reduced the number of visits by nuclear inspectors to its nuclear sites, and thus reduced the monitoring of its activities. Regarding that step, Blinken said "We still have significant differences with Iran," adding that he hoped they will be settled when the talks resume but "we are just not there yet."
Tehran had yet to inform the UN whether it will extend the agreement for monitoring its nuclear sites. If the deal is not extended, the Iranians could erase the recordings from February until the end of June
Photo Credit: Dean Calma / IAEA
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) demanded Iran over the weekend to provide an immediate answer on whether it will agree to an extension of the nuclear facility monitoring and inspection agreement that has expired. The Iranian representative responded that Iran is not obligated to comply with the request.
The agreement deals with collection of data on various Iranian activities concerning the nuclear issue. The director general of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, said over the weekend in Paris that he had informed Iran that a response is needed to understand Iran's position regarding the possible continued collection, recording and retention of data. According to Iran's Tasnim news agency, Iran's representative Kazem Gharibabadi responded that "Iran is not required to comply."
Besides the IAEA, Washington is also of the opinion that Iran must clarify its stance on the issue of the monitoring agreement, and the refusal to respond is contrary to Iran's claims regarding its willingness to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement. The Vienna talks have been paused but they are scheduled to resume in the beginning of July. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Paris that Iran's stance raises great concern, and that it was made clear to the authorities in Tehran.
In February, Iran reduced the number of visits by nuclear inspectors to its nuclear sites, and thus reduced the monitoring of its activities. Regarding that step, Blinken said "We still have significant differences with Iran," adding that he hoped they will be settled when the talks resume but "we are just not there yet."
