In a significant diplomatic effort, Iranian, Egyptian, and U.N. representatives came together in Cairo on Monday to address Iran’s controversial nuclear program. The meeting followed a confidential report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, indicating that Iran has been expanding its uranium stockpile, enriched to levels nearing those required for weaponization.
This development occurs as negotiations between the United States and Iran persist, aiming to regulate Iran’s nuclear ambitions while potentially easing the heavy economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. over several decades. These sanctions have resulted in a longstanding deterioration of relations.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), based in Vienna, revealed that the agency’s report—reviewed recently—highlights ongoing concerns regarding Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. Grossi expressed hope that the findings would bolster peaceful and diplomatic resolutions to these tensions.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in talks with Grossi, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. The IAEA report, kept confidential, underscores a serious caution: Iran stands as the only non-nuclear-weapon state currently producing uranium enriched so highly, which the agency finds troubling.
By mid-May, Iran’s uranium reserves enriched to 60% reached 408.6 kilograms (about 900.8 pounds), marking an almost 50% increase since February’s report. This enrichment level falls just short of the 90% threshold needed for nuclear weapons.
Iranian authorities, however, suggested that Grossi’s report harbors political motives, potentially linked to his ambitions to secure the role of U.N. secretary-general. Mohammad Eslami, chief of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, suggested that Grossi’s political aspirations might have influenced the report’s framing.
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, openly refuted aspects of the IAEA findings. He pointed out Iran’s extensive cooperation, noting nearly 500 IAEA inspections among the nation’s facilities, underscoring Iran’s transparency in nuclear activities. Gharibabadi reiterated Iran’s stance against pursuing nuclear weapon capabilities, emphasizing their compliance with declared activities.
Concerns linger about the clarity and transparency from the U.S. regarding what Iran stands to gain from ongoing negotiations. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, stressed the necessity for explicit understanding on how sanctions would be lifted.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, acting as a mediator, visited Tehran with the latest U.S. proposal. Previous talks ended in Rome with hints of progress, though final resolutions remain elusive. Araghchi affirmed that Iran is forthcoming with a response to the U.S. proposal, making clear Iran’s enrichment rights must be upheld in any agreement.
Araghchi noted the potential for achieving trust-based agreements, provided aims are realistic and do not strip Iran of its legitimate nuclear pursuits. Any proposal attempting to curtail Iran’s peaceful nuclear activity remains unacceptable.