IAEA: "Additional Documents Needed for Restoration of Iran Nuclear Deal"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said that restoring the Iran nuclear deal requires new negotiations rather than a simple return.

In an interview with foreign media on the 17th (local time), Director General Grossi stated, "Since too many regulations have been broken, we cannot simply go back to the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)."

After former U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran, Iran began in May of the following year to reduce the scope of compliance with the nuclear deal provisions related to uranium enrichment levels and operation of new centrifuges, and earlier this year effectively declared withdrawal from the nuclear deal.

Director General Grossi said, "There is now more nuclear material, more activities, and more centrifuges," adding, "I cannot imagine going back to the original agreement immediately."

When asked if a 'new agreement within the nuclear deal' is necessary, he replied, "Without a doubt, yes," and said, "There must be an agreement or additional documents clearly defining what needs to be done."

He also said, "What we expect is a full return to December 2015 when the nuclear deal was reached," and that if Iran is willing, it could return quite quickly.

Amid conflicts with the U.S., Iran is continuing its nuclear weapons development program. According to the Associated Press, Iran was confirmed to be constructing the Fordow nuclear facility underground in the central mountainous region on the same day.

Satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies on the 11th show a construction site with dozens of pillars located about 90 km southwest of the capital Tehran. According to the Iran nuclear deal, uranium enrichment is not allowed at the Fordow facility.

After nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated last month, the Iranian legislature passed a bill to raise the uranium enrichment level to 20%.

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden indicated during the election process that he would restore the nuclear deal made with Iran during the Barack Obama administration. Iran has stated that it would quickly return to the nuclear deal if the U.S. stops economic sanctions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.