Iran’s Non-Cooperation with Agency Threatens Nuclear Deal Agreement
The one-month deadline for Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency has expired. Iran has not yet extended this deadline. A matter that, according to Western diplomats, could cast a shadow over the success of negotiations to revive the JCPOA.
On June 24 (3rd of Tir), the one-month deadline for Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency expired. The Islamic Republic had announced that the country’s officials would make a decision regarding the extension or non-extension of this agreement. This is while, until sunset on June 24, the Islamic Republic had not declared its position on this matter.
Following Biden’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, the Islamic Consultative Assembly made continued cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency contingent on the lifting of sanctions.
Following Rafael Grossi’s, the Director General of the Agency’s, trip to Tehran and his meeting and discussions with Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, an agreement was reached on a three-month period of Iran’s cooperation with the Agency. An agreement that was valid from February 21 to May 24.
Before the end of this three-month period, the Islamic Republic of Iran extended the one-month deadline for cooperation with the Agency; a deadline that expired on June 24 (3rd of Tir).
Based on a report published by Reuters, officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran have not announced their decision regarding further extension or non-extension of this deadline.
“Black Box”
The solution agreed upon by Iran and the Agency is referred to as the “black box.” In other words, the Islamic Republic will not disconnect the Agency’s cameras and monitoring devices at its nuclear facilities, but has made the Agency’s access to recorded information conditional on a nuclear agreement.
Non-extension of this deadline would carry the risk that the Agency would not be able to use its facilities to monitor the nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic. Furthermore, limitations are envisaged for visits by Agency inspectors.
Reuters, in publishing a report, addressed the positions of Western diplomats regarding the pursuit of such a policy by Iran. These diplomats have warned Iran about not extending the deadline agreed upon with the Agency.
These diplomats, who were unwilling to reveal their identities, said that creating a gap in the chain of recorded information of the International Atomic Energy Agency about Iran’s nuclear activities at Natanz and Fordow could affect the likelihood of reaching an agreement on the fate of the JCPOA.
Moreover, it has been stated that the use of the “black box” solution cannot ultimately provide the Agency’s satisfaction regarding continuous monitoring of Iran’s nuclear activities.
It should be recalled that Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, on June 7 released a report on Iran’s incomplete cooperation with the Agency and failure to transparently answer questions about that country’s nuclear activities at four undeclared centers.
Now, Western diplomats have requested that Iran continue its cooperation with the Agency and not damage negotiations of the JCPOA Joint Commission by pursuing a provocative policy.
Source: DW
