IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi Holds Press Briefing on Nuclear Safety and Iran

IAEA's Mandate and Iran's Nuclear Obligations

• 💡 The IAEA's role is to implement resolutions passed by its Board of Governors, not to draft them or act on personal preferences.
• ✅ Cooperation with Iran is guided by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), comprehensive safeguards agreements, and subsidiary arrangements.
• 📌 Iran's decision to remain within the NPT is considered a constructive step, but it must fulfill its associated obligations and commitments.

Challenges in Iran Inspections

• ⚠️ The IAEA still faces challenges in Iran, particularly regarding access to "attack sites" and verifying the stockpile of enriched uranium.
• 🧩 The situation is complicated by a new law in Iran that requires inspection notifications to go through the Supreme National Security Council.
• 📈 Despite difficulties, the IAEA insists on continuing its work, pushing for necessary inspections, as past efforts have not fully resolved issues.

US-Saudi Nuclear Agreement

• 🤝 The US and Saudi Arabia have concluded a technology-sharing agreement that includes fuel cycle activities.
• 🔍 The IAEA will work with both countries to ensure safeguards obligations are met, noting Saudi Arabia previously rescinded its small quantities protocol.

Dispelling Misinformation and Ensuring Verification

• 🚫 The IAEA does not pass sensitive information about Iranian facilities to other countries, refuting claims of information sharing.
• 🔬 Claims that Iranian nuclear facilities were completely destroyed and thus uninspectable are incorrect, as material remains and the IAEA has protocols for damaged sites.
• 🛠️ Existing IAEA protocols are sufficient for inspecting attacked facilities, including procedures for contamination and structural damage, without needing new manuals.

Outlook on Resolutions and Engagement

• 💬 While a resolution from the Board of Governors might lead to a reaction from Iran, the IAEA expects cooperation to continue as obligations are paramount.
• 🚀 The Director General will continue to insist on dialogue and engagement with Iran, regardless of resolutions, to fulfill the agency's verification mission.