The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that Iran had tested its resolve by halting the implementation of voluntary measures under the nuclear agreement. The IAEA's Director Rafael Grossi stated, as reported by Fars News Agency, that he would travel to Iran to discuss finding a solution that would enable the agency to continue its essential verification activities.
Iran's permanent representative to the IAEA, Kazem Gharib Abadi, announced yesterday that he had delivered a message to the IAEA’s Director-General regarding Iran's decision to stop voluntary measures under the nuclear agreement, including the Additional Protocol, which Iran had committed to as part of the 2015 nuclear deal with the P5+1 countries and had agreed to stringent inspections of its facilities.
Gharib Abadi added, according to Iranian television, that Tehran sent a message to IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi on Monday afternoon regarding its intention to halt these measures as of the 23rd of this month. According to recent Iranian announcements, the work under the protocol was initially intended to cease on the 21st, but Iran's representative to the IAEA stated that the decision would be effective on the 23rd, without providing reasons for the two-day delay, which appears to be related to the time required for necessary arrangements by the IAEA.
Moreover, the Iranian government confirmed earlier today that the suspension of the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol is in accordance with Article 6 of the Strategic Action Law approved by the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and does not necessarily mean a complete halt in cooperation with the IAEA.
