The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is expected in Tehran to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. This visit comes after the discovery of enriched uranium particles close to the level needed to make an atomic bomb. Grossi is scheduled to meet with several Iranian officials, including President Ebrahim Raissi, on Saturday.
Particles of 83.7% enriched uranium detected
A confidential IAEA report consulted by AFP revealed that particles of uranium enriched to 83.7%, or slightly less than the 90% needed to produce an atomic bomb, have been detected in the underground plant at Fordo, about 100 km south of the capital Tehran. Iran has denied that it wants to acquire nuclear weapons, explaining that « unintended fluctuations » have occurred in the enrichment process and that it has « not made any attempt to enrich beyond 60% ».
France called the discovery « an unprecedented and extremely serious development. In his visit, Rafael Grossi will seek to learn more and obtain « a strengthening of access to the site and an increase in the number of inspections.
Tehran’s technology race
Tehran is increasing the number of centrifuges at its sites around the country and continues to enrich uranium to high levels. Iran has already been called to order by the UN nuclear watchdog for its lack of cooperation regarding traces of enriched uranium found at three undeclared sites. CIA chief William Burns recently expressed concern about Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.
A visit to restart the dialogue
IAEA Director General hopes to restart dialogue after months of deteriorating relations between IAEA and Iran. This deterioration is due to Iran’s daily move away from the 2015 agreement to limit Iran’s atomic activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.
Concerns around the world
Concerns have been growing in the United States, Europe and some Middle Eastern countries such as Israel about Iran’s progress toward nuclear weapons. Rafael Grossi’s ambition is therefore to restart the dialogue to avoid a dangerous escalation of the situation.
