IAEA Releases New Report on Iran’s Nuclear Program Before Key Meeting

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has released a new report on Iran’s nuclear program ahead of the Board of Governors meeting in Vienna. The report focuses mainly on estimates of Iran’s uranium stockpile and avoids commenting on the recent attacks carried out against Iranian nuclear facilities by Israel and the United States.

Press TV obtained the unpublished report, dated November 12. It will be presented next week and will be the first meeting since the formal end of the JCPOA. Because the 2015 nuclear deal is now considered defunct, Iran’s case will be handled entirely under the NPT Safeguards Agreement.

The report covers developments since early September and again avoids addressing the June 13 attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites. Iran stopped all cooperation with the IAEA after what it called politically motivated resolutions and the agency’s refusal to condemn attacks on its nuclear infrastructure and scientists. In September, Grossi also declined to condemn the killings of Iranian nuclear scientists, saying it was not part of his responsibilities.

The new report estimates that, as of June 13, Iran had a total enriched uranium stockpile of 9,874.9 kilograms, including 9,040.5 kilograms in the form of UF6. These figures are based on information provided before the attacks, earlier verification activities and past operating records. Iran says much of its nuclear material is still under the rubble of damaged facilities, and its Atomic Energy Organization is currently assessing the situation. The findings will then be submitted to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Despite the damage caused by the attacks, the IAEA says Iran’s safeguards obligations under the NPT remain unchanged and cannot be suspended. The agency also admits that the attacks have created a difficult situation that requires constructive cooperation between both sides.

The report refers to the Cairo agreement reached in September between Iran’s foreign minister and Grossi, which set basic procedures for inspections and notifications during the current circumstances. It says Iran has started facilitating some accounting reports and updates for facilities that were not damaged, while the IAEA also expects reports on sites affected by the attacks.

Grossi says he is ready to work with Iran to ensure full compliance with NPT safeguards while acknowledging Iran’s domestic laws. Iran, however, has warned that the decision by Britain, France and Germany to trigger the UN snapback mechanism creates new conditions that could make the Cairo agreement invalid. The IAEA has not commented on this move by the European states but continues to insist that Iran must uphold its safeguards commitments.