IAEA urges Iran to allow it to inspect all of its nuclear sites

Vienna: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called on Iran to allow comprehensive inspections of all its nuclear facilities, highlighting concerns over activities at the Isfahan site, where a new enrichment facility and near-bomb-grade uranium are reportedly located.

In a report circulated to member states ahead of next week’s quarterly meeting of the agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors, the IAEA described access to the sites as “indispensable and urgent.” The discussions come amid ongoing nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, with the latest round held yesterday.

The agency said a successful outcome to the US-Iran talks would positively affect the effective implementation of safeguards measures in Iran and help resolve outstanding issues outlined in the report.

According to IAEA estimates, Iran possessed 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent prior to last year’s Israeli and US attacks. The agency noted that such material, if further enriched, would be sufficient to produce up to 10 nuclear weapons under its standard calculations.

The report also provided new details regarding activities in Isfahan. Diplomats indicated that a substantial quantity of Iran’s most highly enriched uranium had been stored in a tunnel complex that appeared to have escaped destruction during strikes last June.

For the first time, the IAEA confirmed that uranium enriched to levels of up to 20 percent and 60 percent uranium-235 was stored at the site. Satellite imagery reviewed by the agency showed “regular vehicle activity around the entrance to the tunnel complex in Isfahan,” where the enriched material was kept.

The findings are expected to feature prominently in deliberations at the upcoming Board meeting, as diplomatic efforts continue to address the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.