Tehran, Iran – Iran, Russia, and China sent a joint letter to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi. The letter calls for an end to investigations and monitoring related to Iran’s nuclear program. It also called for a halt to the issuance of periodic reports on this issue.
According to ISNA, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said the letter was signed by the three permanent representatives to the IAEA. This step comes as part of intensive Iranian diplomatic efforts.
Resolution 2231 expires
The claim is based on the three countries’ previous announcement that Resolution 2231, the nuclear agreement, would expire on October 18.
The letter emphasized that all provisions of Resolution 2231 and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) expired on October 18. It emphasized that the attempts of the three European countries (Britain, France, and Germany) to activate the “snapback” mechanism to reimpose sanctions are illegal.
Gharibabadi explained that the letter also relied on the IAEA Board of Governors’ decision of December 2015. This decision stipulates that verification and monitoring operations will continue for ten years or until a comprehensive report is issued. It is certain that this item “will be automatically removed from the IAEA’s agenda as of October 18, without the need for further action.”
Grossi warns of Iranian stockpile
This demand comes at a critical time. International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi recently told the Swiss newspaper Le Temps that the damage caused by attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities this year was severe. However, “Iran’s technical capabilities have not been destroyed.”
Grossi noted that Iran still maintains a large stockpile of enriched uranium, including approximately 400 kilograms enriched to 60%. He warned that “if this trajectory continues, Iran will have enough material to make approximately ten nuclear bombs.”
