IAEA Inspectors Have Returned to Iran for Monitoring Resumption

• IAEA inspectors have returned to Iran following the suspension.
• Negotiations between Iran and European countries are ongoing in Geneva.
• Iran's enriched uranium stockpile is raising concerns.

This is reported by Asharq Al-Awsat, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, announced that the team of inspectors has returned to Iran for the first time since the attack on Iranian nuclear facilities that were carried out by the US and Israel earlier this year.

Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA after a 12-day conflict with Israel in June, indicating that the agency did not have the authority to strike its nuclear facilities. Grossi stated that the team of inspectors is now required to clarify "practical modalities" for the resumption of work.

The return of inspectors took place against the backdrop of negotiations between Iran and the United Kingdom, France, and Germany in Geneva, where Tehran aims to avoid a renewed imposition of sanctions, which is threatened by the European states under the terms of the 2015 nuclear agreement.

European countries intend to activate the "snapback" mechanism of sanctions by the end of September if Iran does not comply with certain conditions. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi noted that the time has come for European countries to make the right decision and give diplomacy a chance.

Regardless of the return of inspectors, their activity remains primarily symbolic, focusing on preparations for the resumption of monitoring at sites where some were seriously disrupted. The absence of full access to sensitive locations, such as Fordow and Natanz, limits the IAEA's ability to verify Iran's nuclear activities.

In addition, Iran has significant reserves of enriched uranium, which raises concerns in Western countries. Earlier, it was reported that nearly 400 kilograms of enriched uranium remain without oversight.

In response to the possibility of renewed imposition of sanctions, Iran has withdrawn from direct negotiations with the US, which complicates the situation.

Tags: Middle East/Politics