The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned against Iranian expansion of uranium beyond the highly enriched threshold of 20 per cent purity.

The UN nuclear watchdog said it will ''increase the frequency and intensity of its safeguards activities'' at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility 250 km (155 miles) south of the Iranian capital Tehran.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-israel-preparing-to-strike-iranian-nuclear-sites-423994/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Earlier, Iran was already enriching its uranium to 60 per cent at the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP). The 20 per cent addition will push it closer to the weapons-grade category which lies at 90 per cent.

The West has slammed the enrichment process as it is irreversible. However, since this time the new activity does not involve keeping the product, it will not immediately accelerate Iran's production of uranium enriched to close to weapons-grade.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-calls-on-us-to-be-more-active-to-revive-iran-nuclear-deal-416020">Also read |&nbsp;Russia calls on US to 'be more active' to revive Iran nuclear deal</a>

IAEA chief Raffael Gross said he was still waiting for a "high level" discussion with Iranian officials in Tehran, as had been decided on in September.

"We agreed that there would be a high-level discussion, and this has not materialised yet," Grossi told reporters in Washington. "I hope that this will be done soon."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-interview-with-palki-india-has-more-potential-than-china-for-ties-with-iran-says-former-iranian-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-402649">Also read |&nbsp;Exclusive: India has more potential than China for ties with Iran: Former Iranian prez Mahmoud Ahmadinejad</a>

The agreement between Iran and world powers to find a long-term solution to the now two-decade-old crisis over its controversial nuclear programme has been moribund since former US President Donald Trump walked out of the deal in May 2018 and imposed sweeping sanctions.

His successor Joe Biden has said he is ready to re-enter the agreement, so long as Iran meets key preconditions including full compliance with the deal whose terms it has repeatedly violated by ramping up nuclear activities since the US left the pact.

But the Vienna-based talks through intermediaries made little headway, before being interrupted by the election of hardliner Ebrahim Raisi as Iran's president and suspended for the last four months. 
&nbsp;

The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned against Iranian expansion of uranium beyond the highly enriched threshold of 20 per cent purity. The UN nuclear watchdog said it will ''increase the frequency and intensity of its safeguards activities'' at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility 250 km (155 miles) south of the Iranian capital Tehran.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned against Iranian expansion of uranium beyond the highly enriched threshold of 20 per cent purity. The UN nuclear watchdog said it will ''increase the frequency and intensity of its safeguards activities'' at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility 250 km (155 miles) south of the Iranian capital Tehran. Earlier, Iran was already enriching its uranium to 60 per cent at the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP). The 20 per cent addition will push it closer to the weapons-grade category which lies at 90 per cent. The West has slammed the enrichment process as it is irreversible. However, since this time the new activity does not involve keeping the product, it will not immediately accelerate Iran's production of uranium enriched to close to weapons-grade. Also read | Russia calls on US to 'be more active' to revive Iran nuclear deal IAEA chief Raffael Gross said he was still waiting for a "high level" discussion with Iranian officials in Tehran, as had been decided on in September. "We agreed that there would be a high-level discussion, and this has not materialised yet," Grossi told reporters in Washington. "I hope that this will be done soon." Also read | Exclusive: India has more potential than China for ties with Iran: Former Iranian prez Mahmoud Ahmadinejad The agreement between Iran and world powers to find a long-term solution to the now two-decade-old crisis over its controversial nuclear programme has been moribund since former US President Donald Trump walked out of the deal in May 2018 and imposed sweeping sanctions. His successor Joe Biden has said he is ready to re-enter the agreement, so long as Iran meets key preconditions including full compliance with the deal whose terms it has repeatedly violated by ramping up nuclear activities since the US left the pact. But the Vienna-based talks through intermediaries made little headway, before being interrupted by the election of hardliner Ebrahim Raisi as Iran's president and suspended for the last four months.

'Dangerously close to weapons-grade': IAEA warns against Iranian expansion of uranium

The European Union and Iran officials are set to meet in Brussels this week for talks on restarting negotiations over Iran’s nuclear deal. This comes after International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that Iran is once again expanding its Uranium enrichment program beyond the allowed limit.

Iran, EU to hold nuclear talks in Brussels this week

The chief of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—the UN’s nuclear watchdog—has warned that the nuclear submarine deal signed between Australia, US and UK could potentially spark off another race for nuclear submarines, suggesting that “other countries might follow Australia’s example”.

During a visit to Washington, Rafael Grossi, the director general of the IAEA, said he had sent a special team to look into the safety and legal implications of the AUKUS partnership announced last month, in which the US and UK will help Australia build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, reports the Guardian.

“We have to have specific agreements to make sure that whatever they receive technology-wise or material-wise, is under safeguards,” Grossi was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

“There has to be a specific arrangement with the IAEA. Now we have to dot the Is and cross the Ts, which has never been done before, and it’s a very, very demanding process,” he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-foreign-minister-lavrov-slams-quad-aukus-417837">Russia's foreign minister Lavrov slams Quad, AUKUS</a>

Grossi said it “cannot be excluded” that other countries would use the AUKUS precedent to pursue their own nuclear submarine plans.

According to the Guardian, Canada and South Korea are contemplating building nuclear-powered submarines, which can stay underwater longer and are quieter than their conventional counterparts. Brazil too has an ongoing nuclear submarine project.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-east-asian-nations-cautions-over-aukus-pact-414836/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Grossi said one of the key factors that is hindering other nations to emulate Australia was the technical challenges in building a nuclear-propelled submarine.

“To have a nuclear reactor in a submarine in a vessel operating safely is a very difficult thing to do,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-aukus-submarine-dispute-india-and-france-pledge-to-act-jointly-in-indo-pacific-region-414776">After Aukus submarine dispute, India and France pledge to act jointly in Indo-Pacific region</a>

The IAEA director general said the US and the UK need ensure that the nuclear material and technology was transferred to Australia in a safe way that did not raise risks of nuclear weapon proliferation.

He said the issue had been raised in his talks with US secretary of state Antony Blinken in Washington this week.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/biden-you-should-be-aware-that-your-submarine-deal-has-costs-417409">Biden, you should be aware that your submarine deal has costs</a>

“I think he’s fully aware of the implications, and we are going to have an engagement, formal engagement, soon in a tripartite way or otherwise,” Grossi said. “I already set up a taskforce within the inspectorate, composed of very experienced safeguards inspectors and legal experts to look into this.”

The AUKUS pact will also focus on military capability, an sharing of cyber capabilities and other undersea technologies.

The AUKUS is being seen as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the South China Sea.

China has slammed the move saying the pact “seriously undermines regional peace and intensifies the arms race.”&nbsp;

The AUKUS deal also spurned France as it forced Australia to cancel a $37bn deal with a French company building diesel-powered submarines.

France was also irked with the fact that despite being a traditional Western ally, it found out about the new pact only a few hours before the public announcement.

(With inputs from agencies)

The chief of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—the UN’s nuclear watchdog—has warned that the nuclear submarine deal signed between Australia, US and UK could potentially spark off another race for nuclear submarines, suggesting that “other countries might follow Australia’s example”.

The chief of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)—the UN’s nuclear watchdog—has warned that the nuclear submarine deal signed between Australia, US and UK could potentially spark off another race for nuclear submarines, suggesting that “other countries might follow Australia’s example”. During a visit to Washington, Rafael Grossi, the director general of the IAEA, said he had sent a special team to look into the safety and legal implications of the AUKUS partnership announced last month, in which the US and UK will help Australia build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, reports the Guardian. “We have to have specific agreements to make sure that whatever they receive technology-wise or material-wise, is under safeguards,” Grossi was quoted as saying on Tuesday. “There has to be a specific arrangement with the IAEA. Now we have to dot the Is and cross the Ts, which has never been done before, and it’s a very, very demanding process,” he added. Also read | Russia's foreign minister Lavrov slams Quad, AUKUS Grossi said it “cannot be excluded” that other countries would use the AUKUS precedent to pursue their own nuclear submarine plans. According to the Guardian, Canada and South Korea are contemplating building nuclear-powered submarines, which can stay underwater longer and are quieter than their conventional counterparts. Brazil too has an ongoing nuclear submarine project. Watch Grossi said one of the key factors that is hindering other nations to emulate Australia was the technical challenges in building a nuclear-propelled submarine. “To have a nuclear reactor in a submarine in a vessel operating safely is a very difficult thing to do,” he said. Also read | After Aukus submarine dispute, India and France pledge to act jointly in Indo-Pacific region The IAEA director general said the US and the UK need ensure that the nuclear material and technology was transferred to Australia in a safe way that did not raise risks of nuclear weapon proliferation. He said the issue had been raised in his talks with US secretary of state Antony Blinken in Washington this week. Also read | Biden, you should be aware that your submarine deal has costs “I think he’s fully aware of the implications, and we are going to have an engagement, formal engagement, soon in a tripartite way or otherwise,” Grossi said. “I already set up a taskforce within the inspectorate, composed of very experienced safeguards inspectors and legal experts to look into this.” The AUKUS pact will also focus on military capability, an sharing of cyber capabilities and other undersea technologies. The AUKUS is being seen as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the South China Sea. China has slammed the move saying the pact “seriously undermines regional peace and intensifies the arms race.” The AUKUS deal also spurned France as it forced Australia to cancel a $37bn deal with a French company building diesel-powered submarines. France was also irked with the fact that despite being a traditional Western ally, it found out about the new pact only a few hours before the public announcement. (With inputs from agencies)

AUKUS deal may spark off race to acquire nuclear submarines, warns IAEA chief

Iran agreed to allow the UN nuclear watchdog to install new memory cards into surveillance cameras at its sensitive nuclear sites. The announcement was made by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) after a meeting with the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran allows IAEA to service nuclear monitoring cameras after talks

Averting a diplomatic showdown, Iran on Sunday agreed to allow UN nuclear watchdog to install new memory cards into surveillance cameras at its sensitive nuclear sites.

The announcement was made by Mohammad Eslami of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) after a meeting with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, in Tehran.

The announcement is likely to buy more time for Iran ahead of the IAEA board meeting this week where the Western powers had been arguing for Tehran to be censured over its lack of cooperation with international inspectors.&nbsp; Eslami said Iran would take part in that meeting and its negotiations with the IAEA would continue there.

“We agreed over the replacement of the memory cards of the agency’s cameras,” Mohammad Eslami, who heads the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), was quoted as saying by Iranian news agencies.

“IAEA’s inspectors are permitted to service the identified equipment and replace their storage media which will be kept under the joint IAEA and AEOI seals in the Islamic Republic of Iran," the nuclear bodies said in a joint statement.

“I am glad to say that today, (we) were able to have a very constructive result, which has to do with the continuity of the operation of the agency’s equipment here,” Grossi said.

It “is indispensable for us to provide the necessary guarantee and information to the IAEA and to the world that everything is in order.”

Iran and the world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

In 2018, then-president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents.

After taking power, President Joe Biden said he’s willing to re-enter the accord, but so far, indirect talks have yet to see success.

(With inputs from agencies)

Averting a diplomatic showdown, Iran on Sunday agreed to allow UN nuclear watchdog to install new memory cards into surveillance cameras at its sensitive nuclear sites.

Averting a diplomatic showdown, Iran on Sunday agreed to allow UN nuclear watchdog to install new memory cards into surveillance cameras at its sensitive nuclear sites. The announcement was made by Mohammad Eslami of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) after a meeting with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, in Tehran. The announcement is likely to buy more time for Iran ahead of the IAEA board meeting this week where the Western powers had been arguing for Tehran to be censured over its lack of cooperation with international inspectors. Eslami said Iran would take part in that meeting and its negotiations with the IAEA would continue there. “We agreed over the replacement of the memory cards of the agency’s cameras,” Mohammad Eslami, who heads the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), was quoted as saying by Iranian news agencies. “IAEA’s inspectors are permitted to service the identified equipment and replace their storage media which will be kept under the joint IAEA and AEOI seals in the Islamic Republic of Iran," the nuclear bodies said in a joint statement. “I am glad to say that today, (we) were able to have a very constructive result, which has to do with the continuity of the operation of the agency’s equipment here,” Grossi said. It “is indispensable for us to provide the necessary guarantee and information to the IAEA and to the world that everything is in order.” Iran and the world powers agreed in 2015 to the nuclear deal, which saw Tehran drastically limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. In 2018, then-president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, raising tensions across the wider Middle East and sparking a series of attacks and incidents. After taking power, President Joe Biden said he’s willing to re-enter the accord, but so far, indirect talks have yet to see success. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran reaches deal with IAEA, allows upgradation of surveillance cameras at nuclear sites

The chief of the UN's nuclear watchdog was in Iran Sunday for talks on the nuclear dispute, days after the IAEA criticised Tehran for a lack of cooperation.

Rafael Grossi, who arrived in Tehran the previous evening, was to meet Iran's vice president Mohammad Eslami, who also heads the country's nuclear agency, official sources said.

Grossi's visit comes as talks remain locked in Vienna on saving Tehran's 2015 deal with major powers that promised it sanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.

The landmark deal was torpedoed in 2018 by former US president Donald Trump's unilateral decision to withdraw the United States from it and impose a punishing sanctions regime.

Iran has since stepped away from many of its commitments, but the administration of US President Joe Biden has advocated a return to diplomacy to save the agreement.

A point of contention this year has been limits Iran has imposed on the IAEA's ability to monitor various of its nuclear facilities.

It has refused to provide real-time footage from cameras and other surveillance tools that the UN agency has installed in these locations.

Under a compromise deal, the monitoring equipment remains in the agency's custody but the data is in Iran's possession, and must not be erased as long as the arrangement remains in force.&nbsp;

Initially agreed for three months, the compromise was extended by another month and then expired on June 24.

The IAEA has since been urging Tehran to inform it of its intentions.

In its statement last Tuesday, the IAEA said its "verification and monitoring activities have been seriously undermined" by Tehran's actions.

It also said that Iran had boosted its stocks of uranium enriched above the levels allowed in the 2015 deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran's ultraconservative new President Ebrahim Raisi said Wednesday that his country was "transparent" about its nuclear activities.

The state-run Iran newspaper said the two sides would discuss Sunday "the temporary arrangement... on the supervision of IAEA inspectors and the contents of IAEA surveillance cameras installed in Iranian nuclear centres".

Grossi -- on his second trip to Iran this year -- was expected to hold a press conference on his return to Vienna airport around 8:30 pm (18:30 GMT).

The chief of the UN's nuclear watchdog was in Iran Sunday for talks on the nuclear dispute, days after the IAEA criticised Tehran for a lack of cooperation. Rafael Grossi, who arrived in Tehran the previous evening, was to meet Iran's vice president Mohammad Eslami, who also heads the country's nuclear agency, official sources said.

The chief of the UN's nuclear watchdog was in Iran Sunday for talks on the nuclear dispute, days after the IAEA criticised Tehran for a lack of cooperation. Rafael Grossi, who arrived in Tehran the previous evening, was to meet Iran's vice president Mohammad Eslami, who also heads the country's nuclear agency, official sources said. Grossi's visit comes as talks remain locked in Vienna on saving Tehran's 2015 deal with major powers that promised it sanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. The landmark deal was torpedoed in 2018 by former US president Donald Trump's unilateral decision to withdraw the United States from it and impose a punishing sanctions regime. Iran has since stepped away from many of its commitments, but the administration of US President Joe Biden has advocated a return to diplomacy to save the agreement. A point of contention this year has been limits Iran has imposed on the IAEA's ability to monitor various of its nuclear facilities. It has refused to provide real-time footage from cameras and other surveillance tools that the UN agency has installed in these locations. Under a compromise deal, the monitoring equipment remains in the agency's custody but the data is in Iran's possession, and must not be erased as long as the arrangement remains in force. Initially agreed for three months, the compromise was extended by another month and then expired on June 24. The IAEA has since been urging Tehran to inform it of its intentions. In its statement last Tuesday, the IAEA said its "verification and monitoring activities have been seriously undermined" by Tehran's actions. It also said that Iran had boosted its stocks of uranium enriched above the levels allowed in the 2015 deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran's ultraconservative new President Ebrahim Raisi said Wednesday that his country was "transparent" about its nuclear activities. The state-run Iran newspaper said the two sides would discuss Sunday "the temporary arrangement... on the supervision of IAEA inspectors and the contents of IAEA surveillance cameras installed in Iranian nuclear centres". Grossi -- on his second trip to Iran this year -- was expected to hold a press conference on his return to Vienna airport around 8:30 pm (18:30 GMT).

IAEA chief in Iran for talks on nuclear dispute

UN nuclear watchdog&nbsp;chief&nbsp;Rafael Grossi will fly to Tehran this weekend for&nbsp;talks&nbsp;that may ease a standoff between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and the&nbsp;West&nbsp;just as it threatens to escalate and scupper negotiations on reviving the&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;nuclear deal.

Three diplomats who follow the International Atomic Energy Agency closely told Reuters that Grossi's trip&nbsp;before&nbsp;next week's meeting of the&nbsp;IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors was confirmed. Two said he would meet the new head of the Atomic Energy Organization of&nbsp;Iran, Mohammad Eslami, on Sunday.

The&nbsp;IAEA&nbsp;and&nbsp;Iran's envoy to the agency later confirmed the trip and the meeting.

"Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will meet with Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and Head of the AEOI, Mohammad Eslami, in Tehran on Sunday," the&nbsp;IAEA&nbsp;said, adding that Grossi was expected to hold a news conference at Vienna airport around 8:30 pm on Sunday.

The&nbsp;IAEA&nbsp;informed member states this week that there had been no progress on two central issues: explaining uranium traces found at several old, undeclared sites and getting urgent access to some monitoring equipment so the agency can continue to keep track of parts of&nbsp;Iran's nuclear programme as provided for by the 2015 deal.

Separate, indirect&nbsp;talks&nbsp;between the United States and&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;on both returning to compliance with the deal have been halted since June. Washington and its European allies have been urging hardline President Ebrahim Raisi's administration, which took office in August, to return to the&nbsp;talks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/even-as-houthi-attacks-continue-us-removes-missile-defences-in-saudi-arabia-412347">Also read |&nbsp;Even as Houthi attacks continue, US removes missile defences in Saudi Arabia</a>

Under the 2015 deal between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and major powers, Tehran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

Sanctions

President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the deal in 2018, re-introducing painful economic sanctions.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;responded as of 2019 by breaching many of the deal's core restrictions, like enriching uranium to a higher purity, closer to that suitable for use in nuclear weapons.

Western powers must decide whether to push for a resolution criticising&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and raising pressure on it for stonewalling the&nbsp;IAEA&nbsp;at next week's meeting of the agency's 35-nation Board of Governors. A resolution could jeopardise the resumption of&nbsp;talks&nbsp;on the deal as Tehran bristles at such moves.

Iran's Foreign Ministry warned against any such resolution.

"I hope the Board of Governors, under the influence of certain pressures, will not take any action that would destroy the process of customary cooperation between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and the agency," said spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh, the Fars news agency reported.

The European parties to the 2015 deal&nbsp;Britain, France and Germany held a meeting with the United States in Paris on Friday to discuss how to react at the&nbsp;IAEA&nbsp;board and to review options if&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;continues to stall on returning to negotiations. But diplomats said no decisions had been taken as of yet.

Countries on the&nbsp;IAEA&nbsp;Board of Governors will be watching Grossi's visit to see whether&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;yields either on granting access to the monitoring equipment to service it or offers the prospect of answers on the uranium particles found at the undeclared former sites.

Moves on those issues would make it less likely that a resolution is brought against&nbsp;Iran, diplomats say.

UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi will fly to Tehran this weekend for talks that may ease a standoff between Iran and the West just as it threatens to escalate and scupper negotiations on reviving the Iran nuclear deal.

UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi will fly to Tehran this weekend for talks that may ease a standoff between Iran and the West just as it threatens to escalate and scupper negotiations on reviving the Iran nuclear deal. Three diplomats who follow the International Atomic Energy Agency closely told Reuters that Grossi's trip before next week's meeting of the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors was confirmed. Two said he would meet the new head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, on Sunday. The IAEA and Iran's envoy to the agency later confirmed the trip and the meeting. "Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will meet with Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Head of the AEOI, Mohammad Eslami, in Tehran on Sunday," the IAEA said, adding that Grossi was expected to hold a news conference at Vienna airport around 8:30 pm on Sunday. The IAEA informed member states this week that there had been no progress on two central issues: explaining uranium traces found at several old, undeclared sites and getting urgent access to some monitoring equipment so the agency can continue to keep track of parts of Iran's nuclear programme as provided for by the 2015 deal. Separate, indirect talks between the United States and Iran on both returning to compliance with the deal have been halted since June. Washington and its European allies have been urging hardline President Ebrahim Raisi's administration, which took office in August, to return to the talks. Also read | Even as Houthi attacks continue, US removes missile defences in Saudi Arabia Under the 2015 deal between Iran and major powers, Tehran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Sanctions President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the deal in 2018, re-introducing painful economic sanctions. Iran responded as of 2019 by breaching many of the deal's core restrictions, like enriching uranium to a higher purity, closer to that suitable for use in nuclear weapons. Western powers must decide whether to push for a resolution criticising Iran and raising pressure on it for stonewalling the IAEA at next week's meeting of the agency's 35-nation Board of Governors. A resolution could jeopardise the resumption of talks on the deal as Tehran bristles at such moves. Iran's Foreign Ministry warned against any such resolution. "I hope the Board of Governors, under the influence of certain pressures, will not take any action that would destroy the process of customary cooperation between Iran and the agency," said spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh, the Fars news agency reported. The European parties to the 2015 deal Britain, France and Germany held a meeting with the United States in Paris on Friday to discuss how to react at the IAEA board and to review options if Iran continues to stall on returning to negotiations. But diplomats said no decisions had been taken as of yet. Countries on the IAEA Board of Governors will be watching Grossi's visit to see whether Iran yields either on granting access to the monitoring equipment to service it or offers the prospect of answers on the uranium particles found at the undeclared former sites. Moves on those issues would make it less likely that a resolution is brought against Iran, diplomats say.

Iran invites IAEA chief for talks before showdown with West

The UN atomic agency has said that North Korea appears to have restarted its plutonium-producing reprocessing reactor, a possible sign that Pyongyang is expanding its banned weapons program.

IAEA: North Korea seems to have restarted nuclear reactor

The speaker of Iran's parliament said on Sunday, Tehran will never hand over images from inside of some Iranian nuclear sites to the UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog as a monitoring agreement with the agency had expired, Iranian state media reported. 
 
"The agreement has expired...any of the information recorded will never be given to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the data and images will remain in the possession of Iran," said Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. 
 
The IAEA and Tehran struck the three-month monitoring agreement in February to cushion the blow of Iran reducing its cooperation with the agency, and it allowed monitoring of some activities that would otherwise have been axed to continue. The agreement was later extended for a month until June 24.

Earlier, the UN nuclear watchdog demanded an immediate reply from Iran on whether it would extend a monitoring agreement that expired overnight, prompting an Iranian envoy to respond that Tehran was under no obligation to provide an answer.

The agreement continued the International Atomic Energy Agency's collection of data on some of Tehran's activities, cushioning the blow of Iran's decision in February to reduce cooperation with the agency.

"An immediate response from Iran is needed in this regard," the IAEA said in a statement summarising a report by its chief Rafael Grossi to its 35-nation Board of Governors.

Grossi wrote to Iran last week 'to understand Iran's position regarding the possible continued collection, recording and retention of data', the report said. As of Friday, Iran had not indicated if it intended to maintain the arrangement, it said.

Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, said 'Iran was not required to comply' with the IAEA head's request, Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim reported.

Washington believes Tehran should engage the IAEA without further delay and a failure to do so would contradict Iran's stated desire for both to resume compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal as soon as possible, said a US State Department official.

"Iran should engage the IAEA without further delay to ensure appropriate measures remain in place so the IAEA's continuity of knowledge on JCPOA monitoring can be readily re-established," the US official said on condition of anonymity.

Iran and the United States have been holding indirect talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers that imposed restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions.

The Vienna talks, which began in April, are now in a pause that had been expected to last until early July, but failure to extend the monitoring accord could throw those negotiations into disarray.

"Regarding the IAEA, this remains a serious concern," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking before Grossi updated the board, told a news conference in Paris alongside his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian. "The concern has been communicated to Iran and needs to be resolved."

The speaker of Iran's parliament said on Sunday, Tehran will never hand over images from inside of some Iranian nuclear sites to the UN nuclear watchdog as a monitoring agreement with the agency had expired, Iranian state media reported.

The speaker of Iran's parliament said on Sunday, Tehran will never hand over images from inside of some Iranian nuclear sites to the UN nuclear watchdog as a monitoring agreement with the agency had expired, Iranian state media reported. "The agreement has expired...any of the information recorded will never be given to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the data and images will remain in the possession of Iran," said Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The IAEA and Tehran struck the three-month monitoring agreement in February to cushion the blow of Iran reducing its cooperation with the agency, and it allowed monitoring of some activities that would otherwise have been axed to continue. The agreement was later extended for a month until June 24. Earlier, the UN nuclear watchdog demanded an immediate reply from Iran on whether it would extend a monitoring agreement that expired overnight, prompting an Iranian envoy to respond that Tehran was under no obligation to provide an answer. The agreement continued the International Atomic Energy Agency's collection of data on some of Tehran's activities, cushioning the blow of Iran's decision in February to reduce cooperation with the agency. "An immediate response from Iran is needed in this regard," the IAEA said in a statement summarising a report by its chief Rafael Grossi to its 35-nation Board of Governors. Grossi wrote to Iran last week 'to understand Iran's position regarding the possible continued collection, recording and retention of data', the report said. As of Friday, Iran had not indicated if it intended to maintain the arrangement, it said. Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, said 'Iran was not required to comply' with the IAEA head's request, Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim reported. Washington believes Tehran should engage the IAEA without further delay and a failure to do so would contradict Iran's stated desire for both to resume compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal as soon as possible, said a US State Department official. "Iran should engage the IAEA without further delay to ensure appropriate measures remain in place so the IAEA's continuity of knowledge on JCPOA monitoring can be readily re-established," the US official said on condition of anonymity. Iran and the United States have been holding indirect talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers that imposed restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions. The Vienna talks, which began in April, are now in a pause that had been expected to last until early July, but failure to extend the monitoring accord could throw those negotiations into disarray. "Regarding the IAEA, this remains a serious concern," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking before Grossi updated the board, told a news conference in Paris alongside his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian. "The concern has been communicated to Iran and needs to be resolved."

Iran says nuclear site images won't be given to IAEA as deal has expired

The UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog on Friday demanded an immediate reply from Iran on whether it would extend a monitoring agreement that expired overnight, prompting an Iranian envoy to respond that Tehran was under no obligation to provide an answer. 
 
The agreement continued the International Atomic Energy Agency's collection of data on some of Tehran's activities, cushioning the blow of Iran's decision in February to reduce cooperation with the agency. 
 
"An immediate response from Iran is needed in this regard," the IAEA said in a statement summarising a report by its chief Rafael Grossi to its 35-nation Board of Governors. 
 
Grossi wrote to Iran last week 'to understand Iran's position regarding the possible continued collection, recording and retention of data', the report said. As of Friday, Iran had not indicated if it intended to maintain the arrangement, it said. 
 
Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, said 'Iran was not required to comply' with the IAEA head's request, Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim reported. 
 
Washington believes Tehran should engage the IAEA without further delay and a failure to do so would contradict Iran's stated desire for both to resume compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal as soon as possible, said a US&nbsp;State Department official. 
 
"Iran should engage the IAEA without further delay to ensure appropriate measures remain in place so the IAEA's continuity of knowledge on JCPOA monitoring can be readily re-established," the US&nbsp;official said on condition of anonymity. 
 
Iran and the United States have been holding indirect talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers that imposed restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions. 
 
The Vienna talks, which began in April, are now in a pause that had been expected to last until early July, but failure to extend the monitoring accord could throw those negotiations into disarray. 
 
"Regarding the IAEA, this remains a serious concern," US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking before Grossi updated the board, told a news conference in Paris alongside his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian. "The concern has been communicated to Iran and needs to be resolved." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The UN nuclear watchdog on Friday demanded an immediate reply from Iran on whether it would extend a monitoring agreement that expired overnight, prompting an Iranian envoy to respond that Tehran was under no obligation to provide an answer.

The UN nuclear watchdog on Friday demanded an immediate reply from Iran on whether it would extend a monitoring agreement that expired overnight, prompting an Iranian envoy to respond that Tehran was under no obligation to provide an answer. The agreement continued the International Atomic Energy Agency's collection of data on some of Tehran's activities, cushioning the blow of Iran's decision in February to reduce cooperation with the agency. "An immediate response from Iran is needed in this regard," the IAEA said in a statement summarising a report by its chief Rafael Grossi to its 35-nation Board of Governors. Grossi wrote to Iran last week 'to understand Iran's position regarding the possible continued collection, recording and retention of data', the report said. As of Friday, Iran had not indicated if it intended to maintain the arrangement, it said. Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, said 'Iran was not required to comply' with the IAEA head's request, Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim reported. Washington believes Tehran should engage the IAEA without further delay and a failure to do so would contradict Iran's stated desire for both to resume compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal as soon as possible, said a US State Department official. "Iran should engage the IAEA without further delay to ensure appropriate measures remain in place so the IAEA's continuity of knowledge on JCPOA monitoring can be readily re-established," the US official said on condition of anonymity. Iran and the United States have been holding indirect talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers that imposed restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions. The Vienna talks, which began in April, are now in a pause that had been expected to last until early July, but failure to extend the monitoring accord could throw those negotiations into disarray. "Regarding the IAEA, this remains a serious concern," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking before Grossi updated the board, told a news conference in Paris alongside his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian. "The concern has been communicated to Iran and needs to be resolved." (With inputs from agencies)

IAEA demands Iran's answer on monitoring, Tehran says not obliged to reply

Iran has not responded to International Atomic Energy Agency over extending a monitoring agreement that expired overnight. The international nuclear watchdog said that an "immediate response from Iran was needed. The agreement allows IAEA to collect data on Iran's activities.

The matter has become all the more important after USA said not extending the monitoring agreement would hamper the efforts of reviving Iran nuclear deal struck in 2015.

"An immediate response from Iran is needed in this regard," the IAEA said in a statement summarising a report by its chief Rafael Grossi to its 35-nation Board of Governors that was also seen by Reuters.

Grossi wrote to Iran last week "to understand Iran`s position regarding the possible continued collection, recording and retention of data", the report said. As of Friday, Iran had not replied or indicated whether it intends to maintain the current arrangement, it said.

Iran and the US have been holding indirect talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. The talks are currently adjourned and no date for resumption has been finalised yet.

The United States abandoned the deal under then-President Donald Trump in 2018 and Iran responded by violating many of its restrictions. President Joe Biden`s administration wants to revive the accord, but Tehran and Washington have yet to agree which side should take what steps, and when.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran has not responded to International Atomic Energy Agency over extending a monitoring agreement that expired overnight. The international nuclear watchdog said that an "immediate response from Iran was needed.

Iran has not responded to International Atomic Energy Agency over extending a monitoring agreement that expired overnight. The international nuclear watchdog said that an "immediate response from Iran was needed. The agreement allows IAEA to collect data on Iran's activities. The matter has become all the more important after USA said not extending the monitoring agreement would hamper the efforts of reviving Iran nuclear deal struck in 2015. "An immediate response from Iran is needed in this regard," the IAEA said in a statement summarising a report by its chief Rafael Grossi to its 35-nation Board of Governors that was also seen by Reuters. Grossi wrote to Iran last week "to understand Iran`s position regarding the possible continued collection, recording and retention of data", the report said. As of Friday, Iran had not replied or indicated whether it intends to maintain the current arrangement, it said. Iran and the US have been holding indirect talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. The talks are currently adjourned and no date for resumption has been finalised yet. The United States abandoned the deal under then-President Donald Trump in 2018 and Iran responded by violating many of its restrictions. President Joe Biden`s administration wants to revive the accord, but Tehran and Washington have yet to agree which side should take what steps, and when. (With inputs from agencies)

IAEA demands answer from Iran on monitoring agreement deal

Reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear accord will have to await the formation of a new Iranian government, the head of the UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog said in remarks published on Wednesday, adding a deal needed political will from all parties. 
 
"Everyone knows that, at this point, it will be necessary to wait for the new Iranian government," Rafael Grossi said in an interview with Italian daily La Repubblica, in reply to a question about what stage negotiations on the deal were at. 
 
Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), appeared to be referring to Iran's presidential elections, due on Friday. 
 
Iran's new president is expected to name his cabinet by mid-August. The term of current President Hassan Rouhani ends on August&nbsp;3, a government spokesman said. 
 
The sixth round of talks to revive the deal resumed in Vienna on Saturday between Iran and world powers. 
 
The IAEA does not take any direct part in the negotiations but has been called on to verify them and continue inspections in the country. 
 
"The discussions that have been going on for weeks have dealt with very complex and delicate technical questions, but what is needed is the political will of the parties," Grossi said.

Reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear accord will have to await the formation of a new Iranian government, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said in remarks published on Wednesday, adding a deal needed political will from all parties.

Reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear accord will have to await the formation of a new Iranian government, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said in remarks published on Wednesday, adding a deal needed political will from all parties. "Everyone knows that, at this point, it will be necessary to wait for the new Iranian government," Rafael Grossi said in an interview with Italian daily La Repubblica, in reply to a question about what stage negotiations on the deal were at. Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), appeared to be referring to Iran's presidential elections, due on Friday. Iran's new president is expected to name his cabinet by mid-August. The term of current President Hassan Rouhani ends on August 3, a government spokesman said. The sixth round of talks to revive the deal resumed in Vienna on Saturday between Iran and world powers. The IAEA does not take any direct part in the negotiations but has been called on to verify them and continue inspections in the country. "The discussions that have been going on for weeks have dealt with very complex and delicate technical questions, but what is needed is the political will of the parties," Grossi said.

Nuclear deal must await new Iran govt: IAEA executive tells paper

Iran on Thursday accused International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of taking a "counterproductive approach" after the head of the agency said Iran hadn't clarified queries over possible undeclared nuclear activity.

Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voiced concern in a report to its members that Iran had not clarified the long-outstanding queries.

The regular report has come at a time when world powers are holding talks with Iran to bring the nuclear deal back on track.

The 2015 landmark accord has been hanging by a thread since the US left it in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, leading to Tehran to step up its nuclear activities long curtailed by the deal.

Iran Ambassador Kazem Gharib Abadi told the IAEA's board of governors' meeting that the latest agency report is "not credible", calling it "deeply disappointing".&nbsp;

Iran insists it is cooperating with the IAEA as it seeks clarity on several undeclared Iranian sites where nuclear activity may have taken place, mostly in the early 2000s.

"The secretariat has taken a counterproductive approach at the expense of its own credibility," he said, warning this "could turn into an obstacle for future good-will interactions between the two sides".

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told reporters on Monday that it was "becoming increasingly difficult" to extend a temporary inspections arrangement with Iran.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran on Thursday accused International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of taking a "counterproductive approach" after the head of the agency said Iran hadn't clarified queries over possible undeclared nuclear activity.

Iran on Thursday accused International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of taking a "counterproductive approach" after the head of the agency said Iran hadn't clarified queries over possible undeclared nuclear activity. Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voiced concern in a report to its members that Iran had not clarified the long-outstanding queries. The regular report has come at a time when world powers are holding talks with Iran to bring the nuclear deal back on track. The 2015 landmark accord has been hanging by a thread since the US left it in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, leading to Tehran to step up its nuclear activities long curtailed by the deal. Iran Ambassador Kazem Gharib Abadi told the IAEA's board of governors' meeting that the latest agency report is "not credible", calling it "deeply disappointing". Iran insists it is cooperating with the IAEA as it seeks clarity on several undeclared Iranian sites where nuclear activity may have taken place, mostly in the early 2000s. "The secretariat has taken a counterproductive approach at the expense of its own credibility," he said, warning this "could turn into an obstacle for future good-will interactions between the two sides". IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told reporters on Monday that it was "becoming increasingly difficult" to extend a temporary inspections arrangement with Iran. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran calls IAEA's report 'counterproductive' amid undeclared nuclear activity row

The International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) said on Monday that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-talks-with-saudi-arabia-ongoing-in-good-atmosphere-388608">Iran </a>had enriched uranium stockpile 16 times over the deal limit even as the country's foreign ministry said it had made "significant" progress during the Vienna talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-to-continue-talks-to-revive-nuclear-deal-386198/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-uranium-enrichment-now-at-levels-of-countries-making-bombs-iaea-chief-387711"> IAEA</a> said it was "concerned" over Iran's undeclared&nbsp;sites where nuclear activity may have taken place despite queries and discussions between the two sides.

The United States under the former Trump administration had walked out of the 2015 nuclear pact with Iran three years ago.

The Iranian government since then had vowed to ramp up its nuclear programme, however, the Biden administration has said it will return to the pact if Iran complies with the uranium enrichment limits.

According to the 2015 nuclear pact, Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons. Iran had earlier allowed the UN nuclear body to carry on monitoring and verification activities in the country.

However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken while expressing doubts about Iran had said it was unclear whether the country was "ready and willing" to take steps to return to compliance under the nuclear deal.

Iran in turn said&nbsp;talks in Vienna depended on "political decision" by the Biden administration even as the Iranian foreign ministry asserted that an agreement was "within reach".

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hit back at Blinken saying: "Trump's legacy is past its expiration date. Drop it," referring to the harsh sanctions imposed by former President Trump in the last few years.&nbsp;

In a report earlier, IAEA had said Iran has enriched uranium to up to 63 per cent purity at the Natanz enrichment plant.

(With Agency inputs)

The International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) said on Monday that Iran had enriched uranium stockpile 16 times over the deal limit even as the country's foreign ministry said it had made "significant" progress during the Vienna talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal.

The International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) said on Monday that Iran had enriched uranium stockpile 16 times over the deal limit even as the country's foreign ministry said it had made "significant" progress during the Vienna talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Watch: The IAEA said it was "concerned" over Iran's undeclared sites where nuclear activity may have taken place despite queries and discussions between the two sides. The United States under the former Trump administration had walked out of the 2015 nuclear pact with Iran three years ago. The Iranian government since then had vowed to ramp up its nuclear programme, however, the Biden administration has said it will return to the pact if Iran complies with the uranium enrichment limits. According to the 2015 nuclear pact, Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons. Iran had earlier allowed the UN nuclear body to carry on monitoring and verification activities in the country. However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken while expressing doubts about Iran had said it was unclear whether the country was "ready and willing" to take steps to return to compliance under the nuclear deal. Iran in turn said talks in Vienna depended on "political decision" by the Biden administration even as the Iranian foreign ministry asserted that an agreement was "within reach". Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hit back at Blinken saying: "Trump's legacy is past its expiration date. Drop it," referring to the harsh sanctions imposed by former President Trump in the last few years. In a report earlier, IAEA had said Iran has enriched uranium to up to 63 per cent purity at the Natanz enrichment plant. (With Agency inputs)

IAEA 'concerned' as Iran's enriched uranium stockpile reaches 16 times over deal limit

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi said&nbsp; in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Iran was “very concerning.”

He expressed alarm over Iran’s nuclear programme, spelling out his concern related to its uranium enrichment.

He said Iran is enriching uranium to levels that only countries seeking to make atomic weapons reach, and that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme can no longer be returned to where it stood when a landmark 2015 deal was struck with world powers.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-natanz-nuclear-facility-hit-by-terrorist-act-376895/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“A country enriching at 60 per cent is a very serious thing — only countries making bombs are reaching this level,” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Wednesday and cited by the Reuters News Agency.

“Sixty per cent is almost weapons-grade, commercial enrichment is 2, 3 [per cent],” he said. “This is a degree that requires a vigilant eye.”&nbsp;

“You cannot put the genie back into the bottle — once you know how to do stuff, you know, and the only way to check this is through verification,” he said, referring to checks by UN monitors.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi said in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Iran was “very concerning.

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi said in an interview published Wednesday that the situation in Iran was “very concerning.” He expressed alarm over Iran’s nuclear programme, spelling out his concern related to its uranium enrichment. He said Iran is enriching uranium to levels that only countries seeking to make atomic weapons reach, and that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme can no longer be returned to where it stood when a landmark 2015 deal was struck with world powers. “A country enriching at 60 per cent is a very serious thing — only countries making bombs are reaching this level,” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Wednesday and cited by the Reuters News Agency. “Sixty per cent is almost weapons-grade, commercial enrichment is 2, 3 [per cent],” he said. “This is a degree that requires a vigilant eye.” “You cannot put the genie back into the bottle — once you know how to do stuff, you know, and the only way to check this is through verification,” he said, referring to checks by UN monitors. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran’s uranium enrichment now at levels of ‘countries making bombs’: IAEA chief

Tehran and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have decided to extend by a month&nbsp;an understanding that enables the United Nations watchdog to monitor Iran's nuclear sites.

IAEA made this announcement on Monday even as talks continue in Vienna to save the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

"The equipment and the verification and the monitoring activities that we agreed will continue as they are now for one month expiring on June 24th, 2021," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Grossi told a news conference.

Iran in late February limited the IAEA's access to nuclear sites it has been monitoring as part of the 2015 landmark deal.

An agreement, reached on February 21 for a duration of three months, allowed some inspections to continue.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unclear-if-iran-ready-to-return-to-nuclear-pact-says-us-386959">Unclear if Iran ready to return to nuclear pact, says US</a>

Grossi said that besides extending that understanding, Tehran had also agreed that information collected so far by agency equipment in Iran would not be erased.

He said the outcome of this "long discussion" was "important" but the situation was "not ideal".

"We should all be reminded that the temporary understanding is a sort of stop-gap measure. It is to avoid flying completely blind," he said.

Nuclear deal with Iran was struck by USA and other world powers in 2015. But the deal began to unravel in 2018 when former US President Donald Trump withdrew USA from it and re-imposed sanctions on Iran.

Iran said Monday that talks in Vienna depend on a "political decision" by the US, after Washington questioned Tehran's readiness to return to compliance with the accord.

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unclear-if-iran-ready-to-return-to-nuclear-pact-says-us-386959">Antony Blinken had said it remains unclear</a> whether Iran is "ready and willing" to take the necessary steps to return to compliance with the multi-nation nuclear agreement.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tehran and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have decided to extend by a month an understanding that enables the United Nations watchdog to monitor Iran's nuclear sites.

Tehran and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have decided to extend by a month an understanding that enables the United Nations watchdog to monitor Iran's nuclear sites. IAEA made this announcement on Monday even as talks continue in Vienna to save the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. "The equipment and the verification and the monitoring activities that we agreed will continue as they are now for one month expiring on June 24th, 2021," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Grossi told a news conference. Iran in late February limited the IAEA's access to nuclear sites it has been monitoring as part of the 2015 landmark deal. An agreement, reached on February 21 for a duration of three months, allowed some inspections to continue. Also Read | Unclear if Iran ready to return to nuclear pact, says US Grossi said that besides extending that understanding, Tehran had also agreed that information collected so far by agency equipment in Iran would not be erased. He said the outcome of this "long discussion" was "important" but the situation was "not ideal". "We should all be reminded that the temporary understanding is a sort of stop-gap measure. It is to avoid flying completely blind," he said. Nuclear deal with Iran was struck by USA and other world powers in 2015. But the deal began to unravel in 2018 when former US President Donald Trump withdrew USA from it and re-imposed sanctions on Iran. Iran said Monday that talks in Vienna depend on a "political decision" by the US, after Washington questioned Tehran's readiness to return to compliance with the accord. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said it remains unclear whether Iran is "ready and willing" to take the necessary steps to return to compliance with the multi-nation nuclear agreement. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran nuclear sites inspection agreement extended by one month, says IAEA

Iran's parliament speaker said on Sunday that a three-month monitoring deal between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog had expired as of Saturday, Iran's state TV reported, adding that the agency would no longer access images of nuclear sites.&nbsp;

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is to hold a news conference on Sunday afternoon. He is in talks with Iran on extending the monitoring arrangement with Tehran that could affect talks between Tehran and six powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, the IAEA said.&nbsp;

"From May 22 and with the end of the three-month agreement, the agency will have no access to data collected by cameras inside the nuclear facilities agreed under the agreement," state TV quoted Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as saying.&nbsp;

Iran began gradually breaching terms of the pact with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.&nbsp;

The pact aims to keep Iran from being able to make nuclear arms, which Tehran says it has never wanted to build.&nbsp;

In February, the watchdog and Iran agreed to keep 'necessary' IAEA monitoring and verification activities in the Islamic Republic, although Tehran would reduce cooperation with the agency, including by ending snap inspections.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Iran's parliament speaker said on Sunday that a three-month monitoring deal between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog had expired as of Saturday, Iran's state TV reported, adding that the agency would no longer access images of nuclear sites.

Iran's parliament speaker said on Sunday that a three-month monitoring deal between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog had expired as of Saturday, Iran's state TV reported, adding that the agency would no longer access images of nuclear sites. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is to hold a news conference on Sunday afternoon. He is in talks with Iran on extending the monitoring arrangement with Tehran that could affect talks between Tehran and six powers to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, the IAEA said. "From May 22 and with the end of the three-month agreement, the agency will have no access to data collected by cameras inside the nuclear facilities agreed under the agreement," state TV quoted Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as saying. Iran began gradually breaching terms of the pact with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions. The pact aims to keep Iran from being able to make nuclear arms, which Tehran says it has never wanted to build. In February, the watchdog and Iran agreed to keep 'necessary' IAEA monitoring and verification activities in the Islamic Republic, although Tehran would reduce cooperation with the agency, including by ending snap inspections. (With inputs from agencies)

IAEA will have no access to Iran's nuclear sites images, says top lawmaker 

Iran has enriched uranium to up to 63% purity at its above-ground Natanz enrichment plant, even higher than the 60% it had announced, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday in a report seen by Reuters, citing fluctuations in enrichment levels. 
 
"According to Iran, fluctuations of the enrichment levels ... were experienced," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in the report to its member states. 
 
"The Agency`s analysis of the ES (environmental samples) taken on 22 April 2021 shows an enrichment level of up to 63% U-235, which is consistent with the fluctuations of the enrichment levels (described by Iran)," it added, without saying why the fluctuations had occurred.

Iran has enriched uranium to up to 63% purity at its above-ground Natanz enrichment plant, even higher than the 60% it had announced, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday in a report seen by Reuters, citing fluctuations in enrichment levels.

Iran has enriched uranium to up to 63% purity at its above-ground Natanz enrichment plant, even higher than the 60% it had announced, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday in a report seen by Reuters, citing fluctuations in enrichment levels. "According to Iran, fluctuations of the enrichment levels ... were experienced," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in the report to its member states. "The Agency`s analysis of the ES (environmental samples) taken on 22 April 2021 shows an enrichment level of up to 63% U-235, which is consistent with the fluctuations of the enrichment levels (described by Iran)," it added, without saying why the fluctuations had occurred.

Iran has enriched uranium up to 63% purity, IAEA report says

Iran and world powers have made some progress on how to revive the 2015 nuclear accord later abandoned by the United States, and an interim deal could be a way to gain time for a lasting settlement, Iranian officials said on Monday. &nbsp;

Tehran and the powers have been meeting in Vienna since early April to work on steps that must be taken, touching on US sanctions and Iran's recent breaches of the deal, to bring back Tehran and Washington into full compliance with the accord. &nbsp;

"We are on the right track and some progress has been made, but this does not mean that the talks in Vienna have reached the final stage," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly news conference in Tehran.&nbsp;

"Practical solutions are still far away, but we have moved from general words to agreeing on specific steps towards the goal,” Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's ambassador to the UN nuclear watchdog agency (IAEA), wrote on Twitter on Monday.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden's administration, which took office in January pledging to rejoin the deal, has said it is ready to remove 'all sanctions that are inconsistent' with the accord, but not spelled out which measures it means. &nbsp;

Iran's clerical establishment has said it will not return to strict observance of the 2015 agreement unless all sanctions reimposed or added by former President Donald Trump after he ditched the accord in 2018 are rescinded first.&nbsp;

Diplomats say sequenced steps by each side may offer a solution, while Iranian officials said the high-stakes talks in Vienna might yield an interim deal to give space to diplomacy on a lasting settlement.&nbsp;

"The May deadline is approaching...What is being discussed in Vienna for the near term is the main outlines of an interim deal to give all sides more time to resolve complicated technical issues," said an Iranian official. &nbsp;

He referred to a law passed by Iran's hardline-dominated parliament that obliges the government to harden its nuclear stance if sanctions are not lifted. &nbsp;

The law mandated an end to short-notice UN nuclear inspections from February 21, but Tehran and the IAEA agreed to keep up ‘necessary' monitoring for up to three months. &nbsp;

Another Iranian official said that if a political agreement was reached on technical steps to remove all sanctions, Tehran might suspend enrichment to 20% purity in return for a release of blocked Iranian funds in other countries.&nbsp;

Iran says $20 billion of its oil revenue has been frozen in countries like South Korea, Iraq and China under the US sanctions regime since 2018. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Iran and world powers have made some progress on how to revive the 2015 nuclear accord later abandoned by the United States, and an interim deal could be a way to gain time for a lasting settlement, Iranian officials said on Monday.

Iran and world powers have made some progress on how to revive the 2015 nuclear accord later abandoned by the United States, and an interim deal could be a way to gain time for a lasting settlement, Iranian officials said on Monday. Tehran and the powers have been meeting in Vienna since early April to work on steps that must be taken, touching on US sanctions and Iran's recent breaches of the deal, to bring back Tehran and Washington into full compliance with the accord. "We are on the right track and some progress has been made, but this does not mean that the talks in Vienna have reached the final stage," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly news conference in Tehran. "Practical solutions are still far away, but we have moved from general words to agreeing on specific steps towards the goal,” Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's ambassador to the UN nuclear watchdog agency (IAEA), wrote on Twitter on Monday. US President Joe Biden's administration, which took office in January pledging to rejoin the deal, has said it is ready to remove 'all sanctions that are inconsistent' with the accord, but not spelled out which measures it means. Iran's clerical establishment has said it will not return to strict observance of the 2015 agreement unless all sanctions reimposed or added by former President Donald Trump after he ditched the accord in 2018 are rescinded first. Diplomats say sequenced steps by each side may offer a solution, while Iranian officials said the high-stakes talks in Vienna might yield an interim deal to give space to diplomacy on a lasting settlement. "The May deadline is approaching...What is being discussed in Vienna for the near term is the main outlines of an interim deal to give all sides more time to resolve complicated technical issues," said an Iranian official. He referred to a law passed by Iran's hardline-dominated parliament that obliges the government to harden its nuclear stance if sanctions are not lifted. The law mandated an end to short-notice UN nuclear inspections from February 21, but Tehran and the IAEA agreed to keep up ‘necessary' monitoring for up to three months. Another Iranian official said that if a political agreement was reached on technical steps to remove all sanctions, Tehran might suspend enrichment to 20% purity in return for a release of blocked Iranian funds in other countries. Iran says $20 billion of its oil revenue has been frozen in countries like South Korea, Iraq and China under the US sanctions regime since 2018. (With inputs from agencies)

Nuclear talks make some progress, interim deal possible, say Iranian officials 

Iran has started the process of enriching uranium to 60% fissile purity at an above-ground nuclear plant at Natanz, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Saturday, confirming earlier statements by Iranian officials.&nbsp;

The move has complicated talks aimed at reviving Iran's nuclear deal with major powers as it is a big step towards producing weapons-grade uranium.&nbsp;

Iran had previously only reached 20% purity, and that was already a breach of the deal, which says Iran can only enrich to 3.67%.&nbsp;

Iran made the step up to 60% in response to an explosion that damaged equipment at the larger, underground Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz. Tehran has blamed Israel and named a man wanted in connection with the blast.&nbsp;

"The Agency today verified that Iran had begun the production of UF6 enriched up to 60%... at the (above-ground) Natanz Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement. &nbsp;

UF6 is uranium hexafluoride, the form in which uranium is fed into centrifuges for enrichment.&nbsp;

A confidential IAEA report to member states provided more details. &nbsp;

"According to Iran's declaration to the Agency, the enrichment level of the UF6 produced at PFEP was 55.3% U-235. The Agency took a sample of the produced UF6 for destructive analysis to independently verify the enrichment level declared by Iran. The results of this analysis will be reported by the Agency in due course," the report said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Iran has started the process of enriching uranium to 60% fissile purity at an above-ground nuclear plant at Natanz, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Saturday, confirming earlier statements by Iranian officials.

Iran has started the process of enriching uranium to 60% fissile purity at an above-ground nuclear plant at Natanz, the UN nuclear watchdog said on Saturday, confirming earlier statements by Iranian officials. The move has complicated talks aimed at reviving Iran's nuclear deal with major powers as it is a big step towards producing weapons-grade uranium. Iran had previously only reached 20% purity, and that was already a breach of the deal, which says Iran can only enrich to 3.67%. Iran made the step up to 60% in response to an explosion that damaged equipment at the larger, underground Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz. Tehran has blamed Israel and named a man wanted in connection with the blast. "The Agency today verified that Iran had begun the production of UF6 enriched up to 60%... at the (above-ground) Natanz Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement. UF6 is uranium hexafluoride, the form in which uranium is fed into centrifuges for enrichment. A confidential IAEA report to member states provided more details. "According to Iran's declaration to the Agency, the enrichment level of the UF6 produced at PFEP was 55.3% U-235. The Agency took a sample of the produced UF6 for destructive analysis to independently verify the enrichment level declared by Iran. The results of this analysis will be reported by the Agency in due course," the report said. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran has started enriching uranium to 60% purity, confirms IAEA 

Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground plant in Natanz, according to a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency&nbsp;(IAEA).

Reuters reported that the enrichment at Natanz was of the second type of advanced centrifuge, the IR-4.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-iran-unveils-new-city-of-missiles-370991/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The IAEA report claimed that Iran has indicated that it plans to install a second cascade of IR-4 centrifuges at the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP), although the installation hasn't begun as yet.

“In summary, as of 15 March 2021, Iran was using 5,060 IR-1 centrifuges installed in 30 cascades, 522 IR-2m centrifuges installed in three cascades and 174 IR-4 centrifuges installed in one cascade, to enrich natural UF6 up to 5% U-235 at FEP,” Reuters quoted the IAEA report as saying.

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a video conference with the European Policy Centre think tank had said: "Europeans are used to compromise. Iran and the United States are not. The Americans are used to imposing, and we are used to resisting," asserting that a compromise was needed to end the nuclear deal deadlock.

The US had walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal under the Trump administration in 2018 and reimposed punishing sanctions on Tehran.

The Biden administration along with its European allies have been trying to salvage the pact as Iran said it was ready to go back to the JCPOA immediately after the United States goes back to the implementation of the agreement.

"The current US administration or the next administration will not be able to achieve a better deal with Iran than the JCPOA. Not with this government and not with any future government. This is the best possible deal," Zarif said.

However, the United States has said it will not offer Iran unilateral incentives to attend talks over compliance with the nuclear deal.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "If the Iranians are under the impression that, absent any movement on their part to resume full compliance with the (nuclear deal), that we will offer favours or unilateral gestures, well that's a misimpression."

Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground plant in Natanz, according to a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground plant in Natanz, according to a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Reuters reported that the enrichment at Natanz was of the second type of advanced centrifuge, the IR-4. Watch: The IAEA report claimed that Iran has indicated that it plans to install a second cascade of IR-4 centrifuges at the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP), although the installation hasn't begun as yet. “In summary, as of 15 March 2021, Iran was using 5,060 IR-1 centrifuges installed in 30 cascades, 522 IR-2m centrifuges installed in three cascades and 174 IR-4 centrifuges installed in one cascade, to enrich natural UF6 up to 5% U-235 at FEP,” Reuters quoted the IAEA report as saying. Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a video conference with the European Policy Centre think tank had said: "Europeans are used to compromise. Iran and the United States are not. The Americans are used to imposing, and we are used to resisting," asserting that a compromise was needed to end the nuclear deal deadlock. The US had walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal under the Trump administration in 2018 and reimposed punishing sanctions on Tehran. The Biden administration along with its European allies have been trying to salvage the pact as Iran said it was ready to go back to the JCPOA immediately after the United States goes back to the implementation of the agreement. "The current US administration or the next administration will not be able to achieve a better deal with Iran than the JCPOA. Not with this government and not with any future government. This is the best possible deal," Zarif said. However, the United States has said it will not offer Iran unilateral incentives to attend talks over compliance with the nuclear deal. State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "If the Iranians are under the impression that, absent any movement on their part to resume full compliance with the (nuclear deal), that we will offer favours or unilateral gestures, well that's a misimpression."

Iran enriching uranium at underground plant at Natanz, says UN watchdog IAEA

The building hope of nuclear deals revival, Iran has given encouraging signs about opening informal talks with world powers and United States.

Iran signals informal nuclear talks with IAEA's Technical, US supports meet

UN nuclear watchdog international atomic energy agency(IAEA) has struck a deal with<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-reiterates-stance-says-us-must-first-lift-sanctions-before-talks-to-revive-2015-deal-365245"> Iran</a> ensuring its officials will continue to monitor Iran's nuclear sites for up to three months but the deal also limits access to &nbsp;IAEA, ending its right to make snap inspections.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uns-nuclear-watchdog-chief-arrives-in-tehran-iran-365126/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As part of its pressure campaign on the West, Tehran will go ahead with its plan to slash cooperation with the IAEA from 23 February.

The key part of Iran's plan for reducing cooperation is ending the right to carry out snap inspections at sites not declared to the agency. The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has confirmed that the additional protocol is going to be suspended and the steps Iran would take this week would be "to a certain extent mitigated" by terms of a new temporary agreement. 
&nbsp; 
"There is less access, let's face it. There is less access but still we were able to retain the necessary degree of monitoring and verification work for what it is as it be defined as you will see, I repeat it again, as a temporary technical understanding," Rafael Grossi said.

The new understanding will however be kept under constant review and can be suspended at any time. Iran had agreed to implement the protocol under the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran's parliament passed a law in December demanding the country suspend some inspections if the US failed to lift sanctions. The law is due to go into effect on Tuesday.

"In the first place we reconfirmed that Iran continue to implement the comprehensive safeguard agreement without any limitation as they have been doing so far," Grossi added, ”in the second place, we agreed that in view of the law and in particular the provision that established limitations, we reached a temporary bilateral technical understanding whereby the agency is going to continue its necessary verification and monitoring activities for a period of up to three months.”

Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif helped negotiate the agreement. Zarif said the cameras of the international atomic energy agency would be shut off despite Grossi's visit. Zarif said this was to comply with a law passed by Iran's parliament.

"We will be required by law not to provide the tapes of those cameras to the IAEA, well that is a technical decision that's not a political decision. I am not making that decision. It is at the technical level but IAEA will certainly not get footage from those cameras," Zarif said.

The IAEA has additional protocols with a number of countries it monitors. Under the protocol with Iran, the IAEA will collect and analyze hundreds of thousands of images captured daily by its sophisticated surveillance cameras.&nbsp;

There are 18 nuclear facilities and nine other locations in Iran under IAEA safeguards.

UN nuclear watchdog international atomic energy agency(IAEA) has struck a deal with Iran ensuring its officials will continue to monitor Iran's nuclear sites for up to three months but the deal also limits access to IAEA, ending its right to make snap inspections.

UN nuclear watchdog international atomic energy agency(IAEA) has struck a deal with Iran ensuring its officials will continue to monitor Iran's nuclear sites for up to three months but the deal also limits access to IAEA, ending its right to make snap inspections. Watch: As part of its pressure campaign on the West, Tehran will go ahead with its plan to slash cooperation with the IAEA from 23 February. The key part of Iran's plan for reducing cooperation is ending the right to carry out snap inspections at sites not declared to the agency. The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has confirmed that the additional protocol is going to be suspended and the steps Iran would take this week would be "to a certain extent mitigated" by terms of a new temporary agreement. "There is less access, let's face it. There is less access but still we were able to retain the necessary degree of monitoring and verification work for what it is as it be defined as you will see, I repeat it again, as a temporary technical understanding," Rafael Grossi said. The new understanding will however be kept under constant review and can be suspended at any time. Iran had agreed to implement the protocol under the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran's parliament passed a law in December demanding the country suspend some inspections if the US failed to lift sanctions. The law is due to go into effect on Tuesday. "In the first place we reconfirmed that Iran continue to implement the comprehensive safeguard agreement without any limitation as they have been doing so far," Grossi added, ”in the second place, we agreed that in view of the law and in particular the provision that established limitations, we reached a temporary bilateral technical understanding whereby the agency is going to continue its necessary verification and monitoring activities for a period of up to three months.” Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif helped negotiate the agreement. Zarif said the cameras of the international atomic energy agency would be shut off despite Grossi's visit. Zarif said this was to comply with a law passed by Iran's parliament. "We will be required by law not to provide the tapes of those cameras to the IAEA, well that is a technical decision that's not a political decision. I am not making that decision. It is at the technical level but IAEA will certainly not get footage from those cameras," Zarif said. The IAEA has additional protocols with a number of countries it monitors. Under the protocol with Iran, the IAEA will collect and analyze hundreds of thousands of images captured daily by its sophisticated surveillance cameras. There are 18 nuclear facilities and nine other locations in Iran under IAEA safeguards.

Iran strikes 'temporary solution' with IAEA over nuclear inspection

The key part of Iran's plan for reducing cooperation is ending the right to carry out snap inspections at sites not declared to the agency.

IAEA and Iran strike 'temporary deal' over nuclear inspections

Iran is planning to partially suspend the inspection by IAEA if the US doesn't waive off sanctions by Feb 23. This report brings more details

UN's nuclear watchdog chief arrives in Tehran, Iran

Iran`s decision to end snap inspections by U.N. inspectors on February 23 would not mean abandoning its 2015 nuclear deal, but the United States must still lift sanctions on Tehran to rescue the pact, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday.

"All our steps (to breach the deal) are reversible...The move on February 23 is not abandoning the deal," Zarif said in a televised interview with Iran`s English Language Press TV.

Under a law enacted by hardline Iranian lawmakers last year, the government is obliged on February 23 to limit IAEA inspections to declared nuclear sites only, revoking its short-notice access to any location seen as relevant for information-gathering, if other parties did not fully comply with the deal.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-nuclear-watchdog-head-rafael-grossi-arrives-in-iran-ahead-of-us-sanctions-deadline-365182" hreflang="en">UN nuclear watchdog head, Rafael Grossi, arrives in Iran ahead of US sanctions deadline</a>

President Joe Biden`s administration said on Thursday it was ready to talk to Iran about both nations returning to the accord, which aimed to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons while lifting most international sanctions. Former President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

But Iran and the United States have been at odds over who should take the first step to revive the accord. Iran insists the United States must first lift U.S. sanctions while Washington says Tehran must first return to compliance with the deal.

Zarif reiterated Iran`s stance that Washington should take the first step by lifting all sanctions if it wants to revive the accord.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uns-nuclear-watchdog-chief-arrives-in-tehran-iran-365126">WATCH|</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uns-nuclear-watchdog-chief-arrives-in-tehran-iran-365126/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The United States must return to the deal and lift all sanctions ... The United States is addicted to sanctions but they should know that Iran will not yield to pressure," he said. "We are not seeking nuclear weapons."

Zarif also said that "for all practical purposes" the Biden administration is pursuing the same policy of "maximum pressure" as Trump. 
Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency who is in Tehran to discuss the agency`s "essential verification activities" met on Sunday with Iran´s atomic chief, state media reported.

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, said on Saturday that the agency`s concerns over Iran`s ending the implementation of the IAEA`s Additional Protocol - which entails snap inspections - will be discussed during his meeting with Grossi.

Iran`s decision to end snap inspections by U.N. inspectors on February 23 would not mean abandoning its 2015 nuclear deal, but the United States must still lift sanctions on Tehran to rescue the pact, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday.

Iran`s decision to end snap inspections by U.N. inspectors on February 23 would not mean abandoning its 2015 nuclear deal, but the United States must still lift sanctions on Tehran to rescue the pact, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday. "All our steps (to breach the deal) are reversible...The move on February 23 is not abandoning the deal," Zarif said in a televised interview with Iran`s English Language Press TV. Under a law enacted by hardline Iranian lawmakers last year, the government is obliged on February 23 to limit IAEA inspections to declared nuclear sites only, revoking its short-notice access to any location seen as relevant for information-gathering, if other parties did not fully comply with the deal. Also read| UN nuclear watchdog head, Rafael Grossi, arrives in Iran ahead of US sanctions deadline President Joe Biden`s administration said on Thursday it was ready to talk to Iran about both nations returning to the accord, which aimed to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons while lifting most international sanctions. Former President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the accord in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. But Iran and the United States have been at odds over who should take the first step to revive the accord. Iran insists the United States must first lift U.S. sanctions while Washington says Tehran must first return to compliance with the deal. Zarif reiterated Iran`s stance that Washington should take the first step by lifting all sanctions if it wants to revive the accord. WATCH| "The United States must return to the deal and lift all sanctions ... The United States is addicted to sanctions but they should know that Iran will not yield to pressure," he said. "We are not seeking nuclear weapons." Zarif also said that "for all practical purposes" the Biden administration is pursuing the same policy of "maximum pressure" as Trump. Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency who is in Tehran to discuss the agency`s "essential verification activities" met on Sunday with Iran´s atomic chief, state media reported. Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, said on Saturday that the agency`s concerns over Iran`s ending the implementation of the IAEA`s Additional Protocol - which entails snap inspections - will be discussed during his meeting with Grossi.

Iran's Zarif says ending IAEA snap inspections doesn't breach 2015 nuclear deal

Iran on Monday said that it will block snap inspection by IAEA from next week if other parties to 2015 nuclear deal don't fulfil their obligations.

"If others do not fulfil their obligations by Feb. 21, the government is obliged to suspend the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

"It does not mean ending all inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog...All these steps are reversible if the other party changes its path and honours its obligations," he said, alluding to the United States.

Biden administration has already indicated that US would re-enter the nuclear deal. Donald Trump had pulled US out of the deal.&nbsp;

Under the deal, Iran agreed to curbs on its uranium enrichment programme in return for the lifting of sanctions.

After Trump quit and reimposed sanctions, Iran began violating some limits in the deal. Washington and Tehran now disagree over how best to restore the accord, with both sides demanding the other side act first to return to compliance.

Despite Iran's public hard line that Washington must take the first step, several Iranian officials told Reuters last week that the mounting economic pain of U.S. sanctions may push Tehran to be flexible on terms for restoring the nuclear deal.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said last week Doha was in consultations to help salvage the deal, and Iranian state media said he would meet Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Monday.

"We welcome efforts by friendly countries like Qatar ... There have been consultations between Tehran and Doha at various levels," Khatibzadeh said.

The nuclear deal granted wide-ranging access to the International Atomic Energy Agency to gather information on Iran’s nuclear activities. But under a law enacted last year, Iran's government is obliged to revoke that access on Feb. 21 if other parties are not complying with the nuclear deal.

 
&nbsp;

Iran on Monday said that it will block snap inspection by IAEA from next week if other parties to 2015 nuclear deal don't fulfil their obligations. "If others do not fulfil their obligations by Feb.

Iran on Monday said that it will block snap inspection by IAEA from next week if other parties to 2015 nuclear deal don't fulfil their obligations. "If others do not fulfil their obligations by Feb. 21, the government is obliged to suspend the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said. "It does not mean ending all inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog...All these steps are reversible if the other party changes its path and honours its obligations," he said, alluding to the United States. Biden administration has already indicated that US would re-enter the nuclear deal. Donald Trump had pulled US out of the deal. Under the deal, Iran agreed to curbs on its uranium enrichment programme in return for the lifting of sanctions. After Trump quit and reimposed sanctions, Iran began violating some limits in the deal. Washington and Tehran now disagree over how best to restore the accord, with both sides demanding the other side act first to return to compliance. Despite Iran's public hard line that Washington must take the first step, several Iranian officials told Reuters last week that the mounting economic pain of U.S. sanctions may push Tehran to be flexible on terms for restoring the nuclear deal. Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said last week Doha was in consultations to help salvage the deal, and Iranian state media said he would meet Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tehran on Monday. "We welcome efforts by friendly countries like Qatar ... There have been consultations between Tehran and Doha at various levels," Khatibzadeh said. The nuclear deal granted wide-ranging access to the International Atomic Energy Agency to gather information on Iran’s nuclear activities. But under a law enacted last year, Iran's government is obliged to revoke that access on Feb. 21 if other parties are not complying with the nuclear deal.

Iran threatens to block IAEA inspections if nuclear deal terms not met

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Wednesday that Iran had carried out its plan to produce Uranium metal. Iran has done this in spite of the warning by western powers that it would be a breach of 2015 nuclear deal. Uranium metal can be used to make the core of an atom bomb.

US under former President Barack Obama had brought Iran and other world powers on the negotiating table to strike the nuclear deal in 2015. But Donald Trump withdrew US from the accord and as a result, Iran started breaching the provisions of the deal. This has accelerated these breaches in recent months.&nbsp;

Russia, one of the parties of the nuclear deal with Iran called for 'restraint' as news of Iran making Uranium metal broke.

"We understand the logic of their actions and the reasons prompting Iran. Despite this it is necessary to show restraint and a responsible approach," Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told state news agency RIA Novosti.

A law passed in response to the killing of its top nuclear scientist in November, which Tehran blames on its foe Israel, called for steps including opening a uranium metal plant. Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency in December it planned to produce uranium metal fuel for a research reactor.

"Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi today informed IAEA Member States about recent developments regarding Iran's R&amp;D activities on uranium metal production as part of its stated aim to produce fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor," the IAEA said in a statement.

Wednesday's report along with a previous one said that Iran planned to carry out research on uranium metal using natural uranium before moving on to uranium metal enriched to 20%, the level it is enriching uranium to now, short of the 90% that is weapons grade.

"The Agency on 8 February verified 3.6 gram of uranium metal at Iran's Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant (FPFP) in Esfahan," the IAEA statement added.

France, Britain and Germany, all parties to the deal, last month said they were "deeply concerned" and that Iran's uranium metal production had no civilian credibility but potentially serious military implications.

The 2015 deal's central aim was to extend the time Iran would need to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb to at least a year from roughly 2-3 months. Iran, however, denies ever pursuing nuclear weapons and says it only wants to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe Iran had a secret, coordinated nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003.

(With Reuters inputs)

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Wednesday that Iran had carried out its plan to produce Uranium metal. Iran has done this in spite of the warning by western powers that it would be a breach of 2015 nuclear deal.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Wednesday that Iran had carried out its plan to produce Uranium metal. Iran has done this in spite of the warning by western powers that it would be a breach of 2015 nuclear deal. Uranium metal can be used to make the core of an atom bomb. US under former President Barack Obama had brought Iran and other world powers on the negotiating table to strike the nuclear deal in 2015. But Donald Trump withdrew US from the accord and as a result, Iran started breaching the provisions of the deal. This has accelerated these breaches in recent months. Russia, one of the parties of the nuclear deal with Iran called for 'restraint' as news of Iran making Uranium metal broke. "We understand the logic of their actions and the reasons prompting Iran. Despite this it is necessary to show restraint and a responsible approach," Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told state news agency RIA Novosti. A law passed in response to the killing of its top nuclear scientist in November, which Tehran blames on its foe Israel, called for steps including opening a uranium metal plant. Iran told the International Atomic Energy Agency in December it planned to produce uranium metal fuel for a research reactor. "Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi today informed IAEA Member States about recent developments regarding Iran's R&D activities on uranium metal production as part of its stated aim to produce fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor," the IAEA said in a statement. Wednesday's report along with a previous one said that Iran planned to carry out research on uranium metal using natural uranium before moving on to uranium metal enriched to 20%, the level it is enriching uranium to now, short of the 90% that is weapons grade. "The Agency on 8 February verified 3.6 gram of uranium metal at Iran's Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant (FPFP) in Esfahan," the IAEA statement added. France, Britain and Germany, all parties to the deal, last month said they were "deeply concerned" and that Iran's uranium metal production had no civilian credibility but potentially serious military implications. The 2015 deal's central aim was to extend the time Iran would need to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb to at least a year from roughly 2-3 months. Iran, however, denies ever pursuing nuclear weapons and says it only wants to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe Iran had a secret, coordinated nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003. (With Reuters inputs)

Iran produces Uranium metal, breaches nuclear deal even as Russia appeals for calm

In what can be a show of its intention to breach the 2015 accord, Iran has decided to enrich uranium to up to 20 per cent at its Fordow site buried inside a mountain. Iran has conveyed this to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog. This is the latest move on in several recent Iranian announcements to IAEA signifying that it is further breaching the nuclear deal. The violations started in 2019 in retaliation for USA's unilateral withdrawal from the agreement and reimposition of sanctions against Tehran.

Iran's parliament passed a law last month which had mention of enrichment of uranium. The law was passed in response to the killing of Iran's top nuclear scientist

Such moves by Iran could complicate efforts by U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the deal. 
"Iran has informed the Agency that in order to comply with a legal act recently passed by the country`s parliament, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran intends to produce low-enriched uranium (LEU) up to 20 per cent at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant," the IAEA said in a statement.

An IAEA report to member states earlier on Friday obtained by Reuters used similar wording in describing a letter by Iran to the IAEA dated Dec. 31.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-beef-up-military-activity-in-gulf-ahead-of-soleimanis-first-death-anniversary-354027">US, Iran beef up military activity in Gulf ahead of Soleimani's first death anniversary</a>

"Iran`s letter to the Agency ... did not say when this enrichment activity would take place," the IAEA statement said.

The tension between Iran and US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-beef-up-military-activity-in-gulf-ahead-of-soleimanis-first-death-anniversary-354027">has increased</a> as the first anniversary of killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani. He was killed on January 3, 2019, in US strike outside Baghdad airport.

(With Reuters inputs)

In what can be a show of its intention to breach the 2015 accord, Iran has decided to enrich uranium to up to 20 per cent at its Fordow site buried inside a mountain.

In what can be a show of its intention to breach the 2015 accord, Iran has decided to enrich uranium to up to 20 per cent at its Fordow site buried inside a mountain. Iran has conveyed this to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog. This is the latest move on in several recent Iranian announcements to IAEA signifying that it is further breaching the nuclear deal. The violations started in 2019 in retaliation for USA's unilateral withdrawal from the agreement and reimposition of sanctions against Tehran. Iran's parliament passed a law last month which had mention of enrichment of uranium. The law was passed in response to the killing of Iran's top nuclear scientist Such moves by Iran could complicate efforts by U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the deal. "Iran has informed the Agency that in order to comply with a legal act recently passed by the country`s parliament, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran intends to produce low-enriched uranium (LEU) up to 20 per cent at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant," the IAEA said in a statement. An IAEA report to member states earlier on Friday obtained by Reuters used similar wording in describing a letter by Iran to the IAEA dated Dec. 31. Also Read | US, Iran beef up military activity in Gulf ahead of Soleimani's first death anniversary "Iran`s letter to the Agency ... did not say when this enrichment activity would take place," the IAEA statement said. The tension between Iran and US has increased as the first anniversary of killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani. He was killed on January 3, 2019, in US strike outside Baghdad airport. (With Reuters inputs)

Iran plans to enrich uranium to up to 20 per cent, conveys IAEA

Iran plans to install hundreds more advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges at an underground plant in breach of its deal with major powers, a U.N. nuclear watchdog report showed on Friday, a move that will raise pressure on U.S. President-elect Joe Biden.

The confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report obtained by Reuters said Iran plans to install three more cascades, or clusters, of advanced IR-2m centrifuges in the underground plant at Natanz, which was apparently built to withstand aerial bombardment.

Iran’s nuclear deal with major powers says Tehran can only use first-generation IR-1 centrifuges, which are less efficient, at the underground plant and that those are the only machines with which Iran may accumulate enriched uranium.

Iran recently moved one cascade of 174 IR-2m machines underground at Natanz and is enriching with it. It already planned to install two more cascades of other advanced models there, in addition to the 5,060 IR-1 machines that have been enriching for years in the plant built for more than 50,000.

“In a letter dated 2 December 2020, Iran informed the Agency that the operator of the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) at Natanz ‘intends to start installation of three cascades of IR-2m centrifuge machines’ at FEP,” the IAEA’s report to its member states said.

Iran has breached many of the deal’s core restrictions on its nuclear activities in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement and his reimposition of crippling economic sanctions. Tehran says its breaches can quickly be reversed if Washington’s moves are undone.

Biden, who takes office on Jan. 20, has said he will bring the United States back into the deal if Iran resumes full compliance with its nuclear restrictions. That raises the prospect of a standoff over who should move first.

<h3>FASTER ENRICHMENT</h3>

Iran transferred the already-operating cascade of IR-2ms underground from an above-ground plant at Natanz where only a handful of those machines remain, the IAEA has said. The extra cascades would therefore have to involve some of the hundreds of IR-2m machines removed and put into storage under the 2015 deal.

While the first cascade did not increase Iran’s production of enriched uranium because it was already enriching above ground, the extra cascades would.

The IAEA’s last quarterly report on Iran last month showed Tehran had stockpiled 12 times the 202.8 kg of enriched uranium it is allowed to have under the deal, more than 2.4 tonnes.

That is still a fraction of the more than eight tonnes it had before the landmark 2015 deal, and it has not enriched uranium to a purity of more than 4.5% since then. It achieved 20% before 2015, closer to the 90% of weapons-grade uranium.

U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe Iran had a coordinated, clandestine nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003, the year its secret construction of Natanz was revealed by an opposition group in exile.

The deal is aimed at keeping Iran at arm’s length from being able to produce a nuclear bomb. It says it has never tried to.

Iran plans to install hundreds more advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges at an underground plant in breach of its deal with major powers, a U.N. nuclear watchdog report showed on Friday, a move that will raise pressure on U.

Iran plans to install hundreds more advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges at an underground plant in breach of its deal with major powers, a U.N. nuclear watchdog report showed on Friday, a move that will raise pressure on U.S. President-elect Joe Biden. The confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report obtained by Reuters said Iran plans to install three more cascades, or clusters, of advanced IR-2m centrifuges in the underground plant at Natanz, which was apparently built to withstand aerial bombardment. Iran’s nuclear deal with major powers says Tehran can only use first-generation IR-1 centrifuges, which are less efficient, at the underground plant and that those are the only machines with which Iran may accumulate enriched uranium. Iran recently moved one cascade of 174 IR-2m machines underground at Natanz and is enriching with it. It already planned to install two more cascades of other advanced models there, in addition to the 5,060 IR-1 machines that have been enriching for years in the plant built for more than 50,000. “In a letter dated 2 December 2020, Iran informed the Agency that the operator of the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) at Natanz ‘intends to start installation of three cascades of IR-2m centrifuge machines’ at FEP,” the IAEA’s report to its member states said. Iran has breached many of the deal’s core restrictions on its nuclear activities in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement and his reimposition of crippling economic sanctions. Tehran says its breaches can quickly be reversed if Washington’s moves are undone. Biden, who takes office on Jan. 20, has said he will bring the United States back into the deal if Iran resumes full compliance with its nuclear restrictions. That raises the prospect of a standoff over who should move first. FASTER ENRICHMENT Iran transferred the already-operating cascade of IR-2ms underground from an above-ground plant at Natanz where only a handful of those machines remain, the IAEA has said. The extra cascades would therefore have to involve some of the hundreds of IR-2m machines removed and put into storage under the 2015 deal. While the first cascade did not increase Iran’s production of enriched uranium because it was already enriching above ground, the extra cascades would. The IAEA’s last quarterly report on Iran last month showed Tehran had stockpiled 12 times the 202.8 kg of enriched uranium it is allowed to have under the deal, more than 2.4 tonnes. That is still a fraction of the more than eight tonnes it had before the landmark 2015 deal, and it has not enriched uranium to a purity of more than 4.5% since then. It achieved 20% before 2015, closer to the 90% of weapons-grade uranium. U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe Iran had a coordinated, clandestine nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003, the year its secret construction of Natanz was revealed by an opposition group in exile. The deal is aimed at keeping Iran at arm’s length from being able to produce a nuclear bomb. It says it has never tried to.

Iran tells IAEA it will accelerate underground uranium enrichment

Officials from the United Nation’s (UN) atomic watchdog had confirmed on October 28 that Iran has started building an underground centrifuge assembly plant after its previous one exploded in what Tehran called a sabotage attack over the summer.

The construction has begun at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, satellite images released Wednesday show.

Natanz nuclear facility in Iran is largest uranium enrichment facility and it is about 250km (150 miles) south of the capital Tehran.

Earlier in August, Bloomberg published details of a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, which concluded that Iran was attempting to boost uranium enrichment at the plant.

If believed to be true then this move would be in violation of a 2015 nuclear deal Iran signed with several world powers.

“That road also goes into the mountains, so it may be the fact that they’re digging some kind of structure that’s going to be out in front and that there’s going to be a tunnel in the mountains,” said Jeffrey Lewis, an expert at the institute who studies Iran’s nuclear programme. “Or maybe that they’re just going to bury it there.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Officials from the United Nation’s (UN) atomic watchdog had confirmed on October 28 that Iran has started building an underground centrifuge assembly plant after its previous one exploded in what Tehran called a sabotage attack over the summer.

Officials from the United Nation’s (UN) atomic watchdog had confirmed on October 28 that Iran has started building an underground centrifuge assembly plant after its previous one exploded in what Tehran called a sabotage attack over the summer. The construction has begun at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, satellite images released Wednesday show. Natanz nuclear facility in Iran is largest uranium enrichment facility and it is about 250km (150 miles) south of the capital Tehran. Earlier in August, Bloomberg published details of a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, which concluded that Iran was attempting to boost uranium enrichment at the plant. If believed to be true then this move would be in violation of a 2015 nuclear deal Iran signed with several world powers. “That road also goes into the mountains, so it may be the fact that they’re digging some kind of structure that’s going to be out in front and that there’s going to be a tunnel in the mountains,” said Jeffrey Lewis, an expert at the institute who studies Iran’s nuclear programme. “Or maybe that they’re just going to bury it there.” (With inputs from agencies)

Satellite images of Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility raise a concern

iaea

Iaea, News on Iaea, stories on Iaea, articles on Iaea, Iaea stories at Wion, Iaea news, Iaea latest news