UN nuclear chief upbeat about diplomatic push for Iran-US de-escalation
Head of the UN nuclear agency expressed hope that diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a broader agreement between Iran and the United States would lead to an understanding without the threat of new military operation.
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi made the remarks in an interview with Reuters at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday.
One of the "real world" realities Grossi said he must face is the influence of diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a broader agreement between Iran and the United States that has been spearheaded by US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
"I cannot ignore it, and I wish it well so that there can be an understanding without the looming threat of new military activity over there or something of the sort," he said.
Grossi said that the standoff with Iran over accounting for its stock of highly enriched uranium and inspecting nuclear facilities bombed by the US and Israel cannot go on forever.
He said that the IAEA inspected all 13 declared nuclear facilities in Iran that were not bombed, but has been unable to inspect any of the three key sites that were bombed in June – Natanz, Fordow or Isfahan.
"This cannot go on forever because at some point, I will have to say, 'Well, I don't have any idea where this material is,'" Grossi said.
"I do not have that conviction or conclusion at the moment, but what we are saying to Iran is that they need to engage."
Grossi said he was exercising "diplomatic prudence," but that Iran had to meet its obligations as a party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
"This cannot go on like this for a long time without me, unfortunately, having to declare them in non-compliance," he said.
Following the US-Israeli aggression against Iran in June, the Islamic Republic has called for clear procedures to be established for war-time situations.
Back in December, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami said political and psychological pressure over inspection of damaged nuclear facilities will have no effect, adding that there is currently no codified instruction for inspecting nuclear facilities that have been damaged by military attacks.