Iran confirmed on Saturday that it has allowed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to carry out more inspections of its nuclear program.
“We have increased capacity — so it’s natural for the number of inspections to increase as well,” Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami.
“When we engage in nuclear activities and deal with nuclear materials, the scale naturally impacts the level of monitoring,” he added.
Eslami’s remarks followed an IAEA report, seen by AFP on Friday, which revealed that Iran had agreed to more intense monitoring. The report mentioned that Iran had approved increased inspections at the Fordo enrichment plant, located south of Tehran.
Last week, the IAEA reported that Iran had upgraded Fordo, allowing it to significantly boost the production of uranium enriched to 60%, close to the 90% required to produce nuclear weapons.
Iran continues to assert its right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, denying any intention to develop nuclear weapons.
“The IAEA has always had access to monitor under the framework of the safeguard agreement and the NPT,” Eslami said. “We haven’t obstructed this, and we won’t.”
The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) requires countries to declare and maintain their nuclear materials under IAEA supervision.
Last month, Iran announced it would begin using “new and advanced” centrifuges in response to a resolution from the IAEA board, which had criticized Tehran for insufficient cooperation with the agency.
Britain, France, and Germany condemned Iran’s latest actions to expand its nuclear program, urging Tehran to reverse course. In a letter to the UN Security Council, the three European powers warned of the possibility of restoring all UN sanctions against Iran to prevent further nuclear development.
Tensions over Iran’s nuclear program have increased since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during Donald Trump’s presidency. That deal had offered sanctions relief in exchange for limits on Iran’s nuclear activities.
