Grossi: Iran Only Weeks Away from Accessing Materials Needed for Nuclear Weapon

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency stated that Iran will obtain the materials necessary to produce a nuclear weapon, and the only question is when this will happen.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said on Monday, June 6, at a press conference in Vienna that Iran is only several weeks away from accessing the materials needed to build a nuclear weapon. He emphasized that the question is no longer whether Iran will access these materials, but rather when this will happen, stating: “It will happen.”

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, however, simultaneously stressed that time is required with uranium to build a nuclear weapon.

A week earlier, Grossi provided an unpublished report to members of the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to which the Islamic Republic possesses 43 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium.

According to a senior diplomat, approximately 50 kilograms of 90 percent enriched uranium is needed to build a nuclear warhead.

The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency will hold a meeting this week in Vienna. In this meeting, which is likely to be held on Wednesday, June 8, not only will Iran’s enriched uranium levels be discussed, but also the Agency’s unanswered questions about Iran’s undeclared nuclear sites will be addressed, and a resolution by the United States and three European countries on this matter is likely to be put to a vote.

According to Grossi, Iran must also explain to the Agency about facilities that are “not necessary for peaceful purposes.”

Uranium enrichment and its stockpiling, as well as Iran’s lack of cooperation with the Agency regarding raised questions, have complicated a return to the 2015 nuclear agreement. Furthermore, Iran and the United States have still been unable to reach an agreement on bilateral issues, including lifting Iran’s sanctions.

Source: DW