IAEA chief: Iran's nuclear program on 'turbocharge' without deal
Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said he expects to discuss Iran's stonewalling an investigation into its past nuclear activities when he meets with President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran next month.
NEW YORK — The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said there is a recognition within the new Iranian government that it needs to cooperate on a probe of nuclear-related sites should Tehran want to improve ties with the West.
Grossi will discuss Iran's stonewalling of inspectors during an expected meeting in Tehran next month with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office in July pledging to negotiate on a nuclear agreement in exchange for the removal of sanctions that have taken a major toll on Iran’s economy.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly called on Iran to explain the origins of man-made uranium particles that were discovered at three undeclared Iranian nuclear sites in 2019.
“We see some reluctance on their part to give us answers on things that could have proliferation implications now or in the past,” Grossi told Al-Monitor on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
