Iran will allow the IAEA to visit alleged nuclear sites




Tehran: Iran on Wednesday agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to its inspectors at two of its alleged nuclear sites, as the agency's head ended his first visit to the Islamic Republic.

The announcement came as the United States suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of its adversary, Iran, after the United Nations suspended its controversial bid to impose international sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

The US move threatened to undermine the landmark 2015 agreement under which Iran agreed to ban its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has been stuck during a thread since US President Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to withdraw from it in 2018.

Since then, Iran has retaliated by gradually reducing its commitments to the JCPOA.

But it agreed on Wednesday to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency access to two sites suspected of hosting undeclared activity in the early 2000s.

"Iran is voluntarily providing the IAEA with access to the 2 locations it's identified," the 2 sides said during a joint statement. Dates for access and verification activities have been agreed.

The announcement marks the end of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's first visit to Iran since taking office in Argentina last year.

On his return to Vienna, where the IAEA is based, Grossi told reporters that inspectors would visit the sites "very soon." He said he could not reveal the exact dates.

In a statement, the two sides said the agreement was followed by "in-depth bilateral consultations" and that the IAEA had no further requests for access.

"Based on an analysis of the knowledge available to the IAEA, the IAEA has no further requests from Iran for access to further inquiries and locations," he said.

He added: "Both sides recognize that the IAEA's independence, impartiality and professionalism are essential to the completion of its endorsement activities.

'Enemy Oath'

The IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution in late June, introduced by Britain, France and Germany, urging Tehran to give inspectors access to both disputed sites.

Grossi met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday before concluding his visit.

According to the government's official website, Rouhani said, "Iran is ready, as before, to work closely with the agency in the framework of security measures.

He described the agreement as "favorable" and said it could help "settle matters" in the end.

Rouhani also called on Grossi to consider that Iran has "sworn" with nuclear weapons that do not cooperate with the IAEA and is "always trying to create problems" for Tehran.

The IAEA oversees Iran's nuclear activities as a part of the 2015 nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and therefore the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China,

 France, Russia and the United States, as well as Germany.

Following the withdrawal of the United States, the remaining parties to the agreement are struggling to save it.

Access to the two disputed sites had been cut off for months following the increase in diplomatic ranks.

According to a spokesman for Iran's nuclear agency, one of the two is located in central Iran between Isfahan and Yazd provinces, and the other is close to Tehran.

Iran had argued that the IAEA's access requests were based on Israeli allegations and had no legal basis.

After meeting with Grossi, the head of Iran's nuclear agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, said a "new chapter" had begun in relations between the country and the agency.