Atomic Energy Chief: Progress in talks with Iran on resuming inspections
nternational Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed on Monday that talks with Iran on resuming comprehensive inspections had made progress, but warned that time was running out, expressing hope that an agreement could be reached within days .
Grossi said during a meeting of the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors that “the discussions have already witnessed positive steps,” expressing his confidence in “the possibility of achieving a successful outcome soon.” However, he stressed that “time is still available, but it is limited,” according to an official statement from the agency .
Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Reza Najafi, announced yesterday, Sunday, that the third round of technical negotiations between Tehran and the IAEA would be held in Vienna, on Friday and Saturday .
He explained that “the new round of talks addressed the mechanism for implementing safeguards obligations in light of the new situation following the attacks targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, and based on the decision of the Islamic Consultative Assembly,” noting that “the two sides exchanged views on the provisions of the text of the directives,” according to the Iranian news agency, IRNA .
A confidential report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency last Wednesday revealed that Iran had “increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity,” a level close to the level required for nuclear weapons, prior to the Israeli attack on its nuclear facilities on June 13 .
The report, which was reviewed by Western media, indicated that “Iran’s stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, in the form of uranium hexafluoride, which can be enriched via centrifuges, amounted to 440.9 kilograms as of June 13. ”
According to the agency’s definition, 125 kilograms of 20% enriched uranium is theoretically sufficient to produce one nuclear bomb if the enrichment rate is increased.
Shafaq.com