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IAEA Chief in Iran: A Crucial Visit to Sensitive Nuclear Sites

Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, visits Iran to inspect the Fordo and Natanz sites. This visit comes as Tehran seeks to dispel doubts about its nuclear ambitions.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is intensifying efforts to clarify Iran’s nuclear intentions. Rafael Grossi, the agency’s director general, is expected to visit the Fordo and Natanz sites on Friday, both central to international concerns.

Iran’s nuclear program has been under close scrutiny for years. In response to the United States’ withdrawal from the 2015 agreement under the Trump administration, Iran has progressively increased its uranium enrichment. Currently, the country reaches enrichment levels of up to 60%, a critical threshold according to experts, far exceeding the 3.67% authorized by the initial agreement.

Strategic Sites Under Surveillance

Fordo and Natanz, located in central Iran, represent two crucial aspects of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. While Natanz serves as the main enrichment site, Fordo houses advanced centrifuges, essential for achieving high levels of enriched uranium concentration.

According to Samuel Hickey, a researcher at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation based in Washington, these sites are sensitive components in the fight against nuclear proliferation. Increased monitoring of these facilities aligns with diplomatic strategies to ensure the Iranian program remains civilian-focused.

Iran Seeks to Convince

The Iranian government, through Massoud Pezeshkian, president of the Organization of Iranian Atomic Energy (OIAE), reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with the IAEA. This visit also takes place in a tense context marked by accusations of undeclared uranium storage and the discovery of unexplained traces at two sites near Tehran.

However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that Iran’s cooperation will not be conducted under pressure. “We are ready to negotiate, but only based on our national interests,” he stated in a post on the social network X.

High-Stakes Diplomacy

Rafael Grossi’s visit is seen by many observers as a last-ditch effort to avoid escalating tensions between Tehran and Western powers. With Donald Trump’s return to the White House expected in January, relations between the United States and Iran may enter a new phase of conflict.

The outcome of this visit could also influence the decision of European members of the IAEA Board of Governors, who are considering a critical resolution against Iran in the coming weeks.

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