International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi announced on Saturday that the agency has established initial diplomatic contact with Iranian authorities, marking a tentative step forward as international negotiators race to salvage transparency over Tehran’s nuclear activities.
Speaking to reporters in Japan, Grossi confirmed that the IAEA is preparing to hold imminent talks with Iran to finalize concrete dates and operational details for long-awaited inspections of the country’s nuclear facilities. However, he struck a pragmatic tone, emphasizing that diplomatic engagement must be swiftly underpinned by enforceable, on-the-ground verification.
Regarding Tehran’s existing stockpile, Grossi noted that logistical measures—such as reducing the overall volume of nuclear material or transferring it abroad—remain viable policy options. “But they have to agree to it,” he cautioned, underscoring that any such action hinges entirely on Iranian consent.
The Director General also addressed the historical baseline of IAEA oversight, stating that the agency has no evidence of any nuclear material being transferred out of Iran since the last comprehensive inspection in 2015. “But we need to be certain,” he stressed, pointing to critical gaps in current knowledge.
Grossi framed the broader objective of the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States as ensuring that Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons. While acknowledging Iran’s public declaration that it harbors no such intention, he made clear that verbal assurances carry little weight without intrusive oversight.
“Intentions are not enough, of course. We must adopt a very thorough verification regime… as soon as possible,” Grossi asserted.
Identifying the IAEA’s most urgent task, the Director General revealed that pinpointing the exact location of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile remains the agency’s top priority. “We have an idea of where the highly enriched uranium is located, but it is important that Iran informs us of it,” he said, making it clear that full disclosure from Tehran is non-negotiable for the agency to certify compliance.
Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar)