Under the title "Vienna Talks at an Impasse: This is Why Grossi's Visit to Tehran Failed," the Arabic site reported that there is no doubt the Iranian nuclear talks expected to resume in four days (November 29) are in a real impasse following the visit of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi to Tehran, where he left empty-handed. Grossi openly announced yesterday that he did not reach an understanding with Iranian authorities regarding the inspection program of nuclear sites in the country. A U.S. State Department spokesperson told AFP that "Iran's decision not to cooperate with the agency is a bad sign regarding its actual willingness to negotiate a settlement in Vienna that would revive the nuclear agreement," although he hinted that the agreement signed in 2015 could still be salvaged.
What hindered Grossi's visit?
Undoubtedly, the restrictions imposed on the IAEA inspectors' work since February by the Iranian government and the agency have raised concerns that this may be one of the reasons worrying the international organization. Additionally, the status of four undeclared sites where nuclear materials were detected represents another issue that hampers the understanding between the two sides.
Tehran's Bargaining
However, it seems that the main obstacle to reaching an accord in recent days between Grossi and Tehran, as reported by two diplomats to the Wall Street Journal, was the Iranian authorities' refusal to allow the agency to enter the Karaj site unless Grossi drops parts of a two-year ongoing investigation into the agency's discovery of nuclear materials in previously undeclared sites. However, the head of the international agency reportedly refused this condition, and when asked about it yesterday, he declined to comment. On the other hand, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the Iranian Atomic Energy Agency, stated yesterday that his country wants a "specific schedule and framework" to conclude this investigation, which seems to have become a source of real annoyance for Tehran.
"No Agreement"
It is worth noting that Grossi expressed regret yesterday for "not reaching an agreement" in talks with Iran, as the advancement of Tehran's nuclear program amid restricted inspection operations raises concerns in the international community. He said on the first day of the agency's governors' meetings following his return from Tehran, "The talks were constructive, but we were unable to reach an agreement despite all the efforts made." Therefore, the visit that Grossi hoped would lead to understandings on several contentious issues did not result in a consensus, just ahead of the resumption of nuclear talks in Vienna next Monday after a five-month hiatus. Meanwhile, the atmosphere appears tense between Tehran and the international agency.
