TEHRAN: Iran announced on Saturday that it has granted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) increased access to inspect its nuclear program, state media reported.
Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, told the official IRNA news agency that the decision aligns with the expansion of the country’s nuclear activities. “As our nuclear capacity grows, it is natural for the level of monitoring to increase,” Eslami said.
His remarks followed an IAEA report earlier this week revealing Iran’s agreement to stricter oversight at the Fordo nuclear site, where uranium enrichment has escalated to near weapons-grade levels.
The report stated that Iran agreed to the IAEA’s request to enhance “the frequency and intensity” of safeguards at Fordo, located south of Tehran. The facility recently underwent modifications to significantly boost uranium enrichment up to 60%, close to the 90% threshold needed for nuclear weapons.
Eslami emphasized Iran’s compliance with international agreements, saying, “We operate within the framework of safeguards, and the agency also acts in accordance with regulations—no more, no less.” He reiterated that Iran’s nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes and denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons.
The IAEA has maintained consistent access to monitor Iran’s nuclear materials under the terms of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which requires member states to declare and supervise their nuclear resources.
Last month, Iran announced plans to install “new and advanced” centrifuges, a move seen as retaliation for an IAEA board resolution criticizing Tehran for insufficient cooperation. The IAEA later confirmed that Iran intends to deploy over 6,000 new centrifuges to enhance uranium enrichment capabilities.
The announcement came as Iran prepared for talks in Geneva with Britain, France, and Germany regarding its nuclear program. These European powers, along with the United States, recently condemned Tehran’s nuclear advancements, urging it to reverse its actions. In a letter to the UN Security Council, Britain, France, and Germany warned of potential reinstatement of all UN sanctions to deter Iran’s nuclear development.
The escalation underscores the ongoing tension between Iran and Western powers over its nuclear ambitions, amid concerns that further enrichment could undermine international stability.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE