A Western decision is expected today, Friday, regarding whether Iran will be held responsible for the failure of the Vienna negotiations, following a UN accusation that the new government has made oversight of its nuclear program "impossible." According to the British newspaper "The Guardian," U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Rob Malley will meet with diplomats from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom in Paris before the meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, which will be held on Monday. A previous report accused the new government led by Ebrahim Raisi of making "it impossible for inspectors to oversee Iran's nuclear program."
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned that any such proposal or reference to the UN Security Council could delay or prevent Iran from returning to negotiations in Vienna. In a phone call with European Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday, Raisi stated, "Any unconstructive move in the IAEA will also disrupt the Vienna negotiation process." Mutual compliance would lead to the lifting of a range of sanctions imposed on Iran and the potential release of political prisoners.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, earlier this week expressed "increasing concern that issues related to undeclared sites remain unresolved and that Iran needs to address them as soon as possible." The IAEA also estimated that Iran's reserves of uranium enriched to 20% have increased to 84.3 kilograms from 62.3 kilograms three months ago.
