International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi announced tonight (Wednesday) that he has reached an “interim technical agreement” with the Iranian authorities, which will allow the agency’s continued monitoring activities at the country’s nuclear sites. This, it will be recalled, is in the background of Iran’s plan to reduce cooperation with the agency starting on February 23.
According to Grossi, the temporary oversight agreement will be in effect for three months, to a lesser extent than in the nuclear deal, but in a “satisfactory” manner in terms of the agency’s tasks. “We will have less access,” Grossi admitted. “But regarding a full return to the agreement, political negotiations will have to be decided. What we have agreed on is a sustainable thing. It is worth bridging this gap that we have, and it is saving the situation now.”
As you may recall, over the weekend, US President Joe Biden spoke about his ambition to return to negotiations on the nuclear deal with Iran. In a first step, the US center lifted the sanctions imposed on Iran by former President Donald Trump. In addition, travel restrictions imposed by Trump on Iranian diplomats at the UN that prevented them from reaching its central headquarters in New York were lifted.
Following this, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a press release stating that “Israel has adhered to its commitment to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and its position on the nuclear agreement has not changed.” The ministry added that “Israel believes that a return to the previous agreement will only pave the way for Iran to a nuclear arsenal. Israel is in continuous dialogue with the United States on this matter.”