UN nuclear agency director says Iran will need 'very advanced' nuclear verification

Satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility, in Iran, on January 24, 2025
Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS
Iran will need a "very advanced" verification system when the war ends to ensure that the country does not develop nuclear weapons, declared this Friday (26) the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi.
United States and Iran continue with negotiations to reach a lasting peace agreement, a process that must address the sensitive issue of Tehran's nuclear program.
"The objective of the agreement is to ensure that there is no development of nuclear weapons in Iran. The Iranian government has stated very clearly that this is not its intention. Of course, intentions are not enough. We need to implement a very advanced verification system (...) as quickly as possible," Argentine Grossi said during a press conference in Japan.
Grossi said the United Nations atomic watchdog has "just" begun talking to Tehran about what will happen to its uranium reserves after the recent memorandum of understanding with Washington.
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"We have had initial talks (...) We hope that the work will be accelerated soon," declared Grossi.
Before the bombings by Israel and the United States in June 2025 against Iran's nuclear facilities, the IAEA calculated that the Islamic Republic had 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% - the level needed to produce an atomic weapon is 90%.
Since then, it is unclear what has happened to the reserves, because Iran rejects IAEA inspectors' access to the bombed sites.
The agreement reached between Washington and Tehran points to the possibility of diluting the reserves, but Grossi opened the door to an alternative option.
"It could also be exported directly. This could be more complicated, but there are many technical alternatives to treat this material", he added.
Tehran has always denied the desire to develop atomic weapons, but maintains its stance on the right to develop a civilian nuclear program.

Source: G1