IAEA’s Grossi Expresses Hope on Iran’s Capping of Highly Enriched Uranium Stock

VIENNA – Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed optimism on November 20 regarding Iran’s decision to limit its stock of uranium enriched to 60%, just below the threshold for weapons-grade material. This move comes ahead of a key meeting of the IAEA’s Board of Governors, where a Western-drafted resolution criticizing Iran’s nuclear activities is set to be voted on.

Iran’s decision to halt the expansion of its highly enriched uranium stockpile was brokered by Grossi last week. However, diplomats note that Iran’s willingness to freeze its uranium enrichment is conditional on Western nations abandoning the resolution. The resolution, which is supported by the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany, criticizes Iran’s lack of cooperation with the IAEA and pressures Tehran to enter negotiations for new restrictions on its nuclear activities.

Despite the ongoing tensions, Grossi called Iran’s action a “concrete step in the right direction.” He emphasized that the freeze would prevent Iran from further enriching uranium that could potentially be used to build nuclear weapons. However, the situation remains fraught with uncertainty, as the political dynamics surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018, continue to complicate diplomatic efforts.

Grossi has refrained from stating that Iran has made a formal commitment to halt its uranium stockpile expansion, leaving the future of these talks uncertain.