UN atomic agency warns of massive rise in the quantity of highly enriched uranium in Iran’s nuclear stockpile, accuses Tehran of hiding nuclear material in three hidden sites.
Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium has risen significantly, the United Nations nuclear energy monitor agency warned on Monday, adding that Tehran in the past has concealed nuclear material at no less than three hidden locations.
On Monday, Rafael Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), addressed the agency’s board of directors, updating them on the IAEA’s operations around the globe.
During the meeting, Grossi said that the IAEA had evidence that Iran had concealed nuclear material at sites in Varamin, Marivan, Turquzabad.
Trace amounts of enriched uranium were found at all three sites, Grossi told the IAEA board of directors.
“The agency found man-made uranium particles at each of three undeclared locations in Iran – at Varamin, Marivan, and Turquzabad – at which we conducted complementary access in 2019 and 2020.”
“Since then, we have been seeking explanations and clarifications from Iran for the presence of these uranium particles, including through a number of high-level meetings and consultations in which I have been personally involved.”
When the IAEA reached out to Iran for an explanation for the presence of traces of undeclared nuclear material at the sites, Grossi said that Iran failed to provide credible explanations.
“Unfortunately, Iran has repeatedly either not answered, or not provided technically credible answers,” Grossi told the board,.
“These locations were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out until the early 2000s.”
Grossi added that it appeared that Iran had attempted to scrub the sites of any residual evidence to prevent the IAEA from detecting their past use for undeclared nuclear activities.
“Unresolved safeguards issues persist,” Grossi said, urging Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA. “Iran must urgently provide technically credible answers to clarify undeclared nuclear material and activities.”
Despite Iran’s history of concealing its nuclear activities, Grossi reiterated his call for a negotiated settlement between Western powers and Tehran.
“I call upon Iran urgently to cooperate fully,” Grossi continued. “Only a diplomatic solution, strongly backed by IAEA verification, can ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.”
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