Iran Demands IAEA Clarification on Attacks Against Nuclear Facilities, Access Protocol for Damaged Sites
Iran is calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to clearly condemn attacks against its nuclear installations and to establish a specific protocol for inspecting sites damaged in military strikes. The demand comes amid ongoing concerns over the security of Iran’s nuclear program and stalled efforts to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.
Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), emphasized in an interview with Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, that the IAEA must articulate its position regarding past aggression against Iranian nuclear facilities. He stated that any future inspections of sites that have sustained damage require a carefully defined framework, taking into account potential environmental and safety hazards resulting from military actions. https://www.irna.ir/news/85229911/
The call for clarification follows a statement by IAEA Director General rafael Grossi,who,speaking at the World economic Forum in Davos,confirmed that the agency has inspected all 13 of iran’s declared nuclear facilities that were not directly targeted in attacks. However, Grossi acknowledged that access to three sites – Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan – which were bombed in June, remains blocked. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iaea-chief-says-iran-has-not-given-access-three-sites-hit-june-2024-01-17/
Eslami confirmed that current IAEA inspections are limited to facilities that have not been damaged, and that no IAEA inspectors are currently present in Iran. He underscored the necessity of a specialized inspection protocol, noting that a military attack introduces unique environmental and technical challenges that must be addressed before any assessment can be conducted. These challenges include potential contamination, structural instability, and the disruption of safety systems.
The June attacks, widely attributed to Israel, represent a meaningful escalation in the shadow war between the two countries. While israel rarely confirms or denies such operations, the attacks are believed to be part of a strategy to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, even though concerns persist within the international community regarding its enrichment activities and ballistic missile program.
Eslami also revealed that Iran previously proposed a resolution at the IAEA General Conference advocating for the protection of nuclear facilities from attack. This proposal, he stated, was not given due consideration. The lack of international consensus on protecting nuclear sites is a key concern for Iran, which views the attacks as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.
The principle of protecting nuclear facilities from military strikes is rooted in the understanding that any damage to such sites could have catastrophic consequences, potentially leading to a nuclear accident or the release of radioactive materials.International law dose not explicitly prohibit attacks on nuclear facilities, but it emphasizes the need to avoid causing unnecessary harm to civilian populations and the surroundings.
The current impasse over access to the damaged sites and the lack of a clear IAEA stance on the attacks are further complicating efforts to revive the JCPOA. The 2015 agreement, which limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, has been unraveling since the United States unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 under the Trump governance.
Negotiations to restore the JCPOA have been stalled for months, with disagreements remaining over the scope of sanctions relief and the sequencing of steps to return to compliance. The unresolved issues surrounding the IAEA inspections and the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities add another layer of complexity to the already challenging diplomatic process.
Eslami’s call for Grossi to clarify the agency’s position on attacks and outline a plan for accessing damaged sites signals Iran’s determination to address these concerns before engaging in further negotiations. A clear and unequivocal statement from the IAEA condemning attacks on nuclear facilities, coupled with a robust inspection protocol, could help rebuild trust and create a more conducive environment for a diplomatic resolution. Without such assurances, Iran is highly likely to remain wary of fully cooperating with the IAEA and resuming negotiations on the JCPOA.
