Iran Agrees with IAEA to Extend 'Interim Nuclear Inspections' for One Month

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Iran, participating in talks among countries to restore the nuclear agreement, has agreed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to extend temporary nuclear inspections for one month.

Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, announced this on the 24th (local time) at a press conference held after meeting with Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, in Vienna, Austria.

Director General Grossi stated, "The equipment, verification, and inspection activities we agreed upon will continue as they are for one month until June 24." Accordingly, Iran will retain the video footage collected from surveillance cameras installed at nuclear facilities for an additional month and will provide it to the IAEA if there is progress in the nuclear agreement.

The IAEA has been inspecting nuclear facilities in Iran without restrictions under the Additional Protocol of the nuclear agreement. However, when former U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally declared the withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018, Iran gradually reduced the scope of its compliance with the nuclear agreement starting in May 2019. In February, Iran announced that if the parties to the nuclear agreement do not fulfill their obligations, it would officially limit IAEA inspections.

In response, Director General Grossi visited Iran on February 21 to discuss this issue, reached an agreement to maintain temporary nuclear inspections, and has now agreed to extend this by one month.

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