Iran restricts access to IAEA nuclear inspection surveillance cameras... "Concerns over undeclared nuclear materials"

IAEA "Concerns Over Uranium Storage in Undeclared Areas"
US State Department "Cooperating with IAEA to Resolve Undeclared Nuclear Material Issues"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Iran has officially announced restrictions on nuclear inspections by limiting the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) access to its surveillance camera network, raising concerns that negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) with the West will face greater difficulties. The IAEA stated that Iran's officially declared stockpile of enriched uranium already exceeds the deal's permitted limit by 14 times, and there are concerns that a large amount of uranium is stored in undeclared locations.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 23rd (local time), Iran's state TV reported, "From today, cooperation with the IAEA inspection team will be limited." As previously stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the IAEA is expected to have restricted access to the surveillance camera network installed at Iran's nuclear facilities. However, the Iranian government has not yet disclosed specific plans on how it will limit other access by the IAEA inspection team.

The IAEA has expressed strong reservations. According to AFP, the IAEA stated in a report that "As of the 16th, Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is 2,967.8 kg, exceeding the JCPOA limit by 14 times. There is also a high possibility of undeclared nuclear material such as uranium," and added, "We are deeply concerned about the presence of undeclared nuclear material under the safeguards agreement."

The U.S. State Department also warned Iran to promptly resolve the issue of undeclared nuclear material. Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, emphasized at a press conference held that day, "Iran must cooperate with the IAEA to resolve potential undeclared nuclear material issues," and "The United States will work closely with the IAEA to discuss appropriate measures to support negotiations with Iran."

European parties to the nuclear deal (E3) including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany immediately condemned Iran. The foreign ministers of the three countries issued a joint statement saying, "Iran's actions violate the nuclear deal and significantly undermine the IAEA's supervisory authority," and "Iran must cease all measures that reduce transparency and fully cooperate with the IAEA when necessary."