Despite the talks … IAEA unveils a new violation of Iran

A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on Friday, indicated a new Iranian violation of the nuclear deal that Tehran concluded with world powers, on the same day that those countries met to renew the agreement, which will likely increase tension with Western governments.

10 April, 2021 04:15

NEWS DESK

The agency has avoided explicitly accusing Iran of violating the agreement, but it usually sends such "special" reports to member states only if violations occur.

Two diplomats told Reuters that what the report described amounted to a new breach. The violation relates to what is officially counted in Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium.

After the announcement of the nuclear agreement in 2015, the signatory countries defined what could be classified as an increase in the stockpile and excluded materials such as scrap fuel panels loaded with uranium enriched to a degree near 20 percent and described as "wasted".

But Friday's report stated that Iran had recovered some of these materials.

Despite the small amount of enriched uranium, it amounts to a new violation of the agreement at a sensitive time, especially in light of the participation of Tehran and the United States in indirect talks in Vienna with the aim of exploring ways for the two parties to return to full commitment to the nuclear agreement.

T/S

ANHA