Business & Economy

UN nuclear watchdog chief slams Iran over lack of cooperation

Vienna, Jun 7 (EFE).- Iran has failed to explain the presence of uranium particles that were found by international inspectors at several locations across the country, the chief of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said on Monday.

During a quarterly meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi urged the Islamic republic to answer questions on the uranium discoveries as soon as possible.

“After many months, Iran has not provided the necessary explanation for the presence of the nuclear material particles at any of the three locations where the Agency has conducted complementary accesses,” Grossi said.

“The lack of progress in clarifying the Agency’s questions concerning the correctness and completeness of Iran’s safeguards declarations seriously affects the ability of the Agency to provide assurance of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program,” he added.

Iran has not presented information or documentation to answer the agency’s questions, according to Grossi.

In recent years, the IAEA has received reports from intelligence agencies on undeclared activities at locations, where inspectors managed eventually to take samples confirming the presence of nuclear materials.

“The presence of multiple uranium particles of anthropogenic origin at three locations in Iran not declared to the Agency, as well as the presence of isotopically altered particles at one of these locations, is a clear indication that nuclear material and/or equipment contaminated by nuclear material has been present at these locations,” Grossi explained.

Tehran has signed a safeguards agreement obliging it to keep the IAEA informed of its nuclear-related activities at all times.

The dispute with the nuclear agency comes amid ongoing talks with world powers to salvage the Iran nuclear deal.

Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 with the United States and other nations limiting its uranium enrichment in exchange for lifting sanctions.

Related Articles

Back to top button