He told bystanders of Rafael Grossi’s IAEA committee in Vienna that there is no connection between the proposed US resolution and three European powers on Iran’s nuclear non-compliance and a recent indirect speech between Tehran and Washington.
He argued that resolutions advanced by the US, France, Germany and the UK should be viewed as part of the agency’s regular oversight responsibility, rather than as a political tool linked to broader diplomatic efforts.
Grossi also said that uranium enrichment is not prohibited under international law, but that Iran’s continued accumulation of highly enriched uranium cannot be ignored.
“Uranium enrichment itself is not a forbidden activity. This is something my Iranian counterpart always says,” he said.
Iran has already warned against the passage of the resolution, saying it could disrupt the consultation process.
“Over the past few months, I have worked closely and intensively with both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America through active consultations in favour of bilateral negotiations to find mutually acceptable agreements that guarantee the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.”
Grossi said, pointing to three Iranian sites, Balamin, Maliban and Takzabad, “We have implemented complementary accesses in 2019 and 2020. Since then, we have been seeking explanations and clarifications from Iran regarding the existence of these uranium particles.
Despite all Tehran’s cooperation, he reiterated his previous claims about a peaceful Iranian nuclear program, saying, “Unfortunately, Iran has been blocking the agency’s questions, either repeatedly responding or providing technically reliable answers.
“The organisation that will come concludes that Iran did not declare nuclear material and nuclear-related activities in these three undeclared locations in Iran. As a result, the organisation is not in a position to determine whether the relevant nuclear material is still outside of the protection measures.
MNA