The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has called on Iran to provide clarity regarding the location of its nuclear material.
Speaking during an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in Vienna on Monday, prompted by recent United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Grossi underscored Tehran’s obligations under international nuclear agreements.
He referred to earlier statements by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who had indicated that protective measures were taken to safeguard nuclear materials and equipment ahead of anticipated Israeli and U.S. attacks. However, Grossi stressed that any such relocation of nuclear material must be disclosed to the IAEA in accordance with existing inspection agreements.
According to an IAEA report, Iran currently holds more than 400 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity, a level that approaches weapons-grade.
Diplomatic sources warned that further enrichment to 90 per cent could yield material sufficient for multiple nuclear warheads.
Although Iran has consistently claimed it does not intend to produce nuclear weapons, international unease continues to grow.
Grossi highlighted the urgency of verifying the current location of Iran’s 60 per cent enriched uranium, which had previously been stored in Isfahan, a site targeted in the recent Israeli and U.S. airstrikes.
This material was initially enriched at Iran’s Natanz and Fordow facilities, both of which reportedly sustained heavy damage.
Grossi said that the Fordow underground plant in particular had likely been seriously affected by powerful U.S. munitions.
(NAN)
