The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has announced plans to travel to Iran in the coming days to engage in discussions regarding the country's nuclear program. The visit by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with uncertainties surrounding the approach of the incoming U.S. President-elect Donald Trump towards Iran.
The purpose of the visit is to facilitate high-level meetings with the Iranian government and to conduct technical discussions on various aspects related to the joint statement agreed with Iran in March 2023. This initiative aims to foster cooperation between the IAEA and Iran in expanding inspections of the Islamic Republic’s advancing atomic program.
The 2023 joint statement included commitments by Iran to address concerns related to sites where inspectors have raised questions about potential undeclared nuclear activities. Iran also pledged to allow the IAEA to carry out additional verification and monitoring activities.
Director General Grossi's upcoming meetings in Tehran will build upon his previous discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during the United Nations General Assembly in September. Grossi emphasized the importance of making substantive progress in implementing the joint statement agreed with Iran in March 2023.
Recent reports by the IAEA indicate that Iran is rapidly advancing its atomic program and increasing its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, in defiance of international demands. Grossi has cautioned that Iran possesses enough enriched uranium to potentially produce multiple nuclear weapons if it chooses to do so.
The 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions, collapsed after the U.S. withdrew from the agreement in 2018. Subsequently, Iran abandoned the deal's restrictions and began enriching uranium to levels close to weapons-grade.
As the Trump administration prepares to return to office, there are mixed expectations among Iranians regarding the future. While some fear the possibility of escalated conflict between Tehran and Washington, others remain hopeful for potential diplomatic engagements similar to those witnessed with North Korea.
