IAEA Chief’s Visit to Iran and the State of Nuclear Negotiations

IAEA Chief Rafael Mariano Grossi Arrives in Iran

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was received at the airport by Behrouz Kamalvendi, the deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. During his two-day visit, Grossi is scheduled to hold meetings with key Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Erakchi and Mohammad Islami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

Concerns About Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities

In an interview with Le Monde prior to his visit, Grossi expressed concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He remarked, “It’s akin to assembling a jigsaw puzzle; they possess various pieces and could potentially complete the puzzle one day. While there is still a path to traverse before achieving this, it’s crucial to acknowledge that they are not far off. Over the past four years, we have witnessed Iran’s significant advancements in this arena.”

Ongoing Negotiations Between Iran and the United States

After the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018, President Donald Trump extended a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last month, advocating for direct nuclear discussions. The Iranian response, facilitated through Oman, led to indirect talks between the two nations on April 12.

Both sides described these discussions as “positive and constructive,” and have agreed to reconvene on April 19. Although initially planned to take place in Oman, the second round of negotiations will now occur in Rome, Italy.

Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy for the Middle East, stated on Fox News that they recognize Iran’s uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent as stipulated in the 2015 nuclear accord. However, he later emphasized that Iran should cease uranium enrichment activities. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Erakchi countered, asserting Iran’s readiness to alleviate international concerns over its nuclear program but maintained that their right to uranium enrichment remains non-negotiable.

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