IAEA detected uranium area

By Albert Otti

Vienna (dpa) — UN experts have observed activity around an Iranian underground storage facility for disputed stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, according to the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi.

The IAEA cannot inspect this almost weapons-grade material on site because Tehran does not allow it, Grossi stressed in a new unpublished report obtained by dpa.

Citing satellite images of the location, the report was completed just days before further talks in Vienna aimed at reaching an agreement in the nuclear dispute between Tehran and Washington.

IAEA denied access to destroyed facilities

Israel and the United States bombed several key nuclear facilities in Iran last June to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons.

Since then, Iran has refused IAEA inspections of the destroyed sites, which are now only visible to experts via satellite.

Therefore, the IAEA cannot verify whether Iran has ceased producing enriched uranium and how much uranium is currently stored, the report stated.

It is “indispensible and urgent” that Tehran allow comprehensive inspections, Grossi wrote.

IAEA detected uranium area

The Vienna-based agency has observed regular vehicle activity at an access point to the uranium storage facility in Isfahan, according to Grossi.

Activity was also observed at the previously targeted enrichment facilities, he added.

Near-weapons-grade uranium?

Before the attacks, Iran possessed approximately 440 kilograms of uranium with a purity level of 60% – enough, according to experts, for several nuclear weapons if the material were further processed.

The whereabouts and condition of these stockpiles are currently unknown.

The US and Iran recently held talks in Geneva, mediated by Oman, regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. The talks are set to continue next week at the technical level in Vienna, Grossi noted in the report.

The Iranian government denies it is trying to develop nuclear weapons but has indicated its willingness to limit its nuclear programme. In return, Tehran is demanding the lifting of economic sanctions.

US President Donald Trump has given the Iranian leadership until the start of March to come to an agreement or face possible military action.