Iran reiterates commitment to IAEA cooperation

TEHRAN, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran's nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami reaffirmed on Wednesday the country's commitment to nuclear activities that align with its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Addressing the IAEA's concerns over "ambiguities" in Iran's nuclear program, Eslami underscored Iran's adherence to the safeguards agreement and the Non-Proliferation Treaty, reported the Iranian Students' News Agency.

Eslami highlighted the presence of 120 IAEA-accredited inspectors monitoring Iran's nuclear program, with some stationed in Iran and others conducting regular or surprise visits to the nuclear sites.

At a UN briefing in New York, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi remarked that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, while at extremely high levels, does not equate to the possession of a nuclear weapon.

However, he noted the significant accumulation of nuclear material at levels nearly equivalent to weapons-grade, sparking international scrutiny.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed by Iran and world powers in July 2015, aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions. However, the U.S. withdrew from the agreement in May 2018, reinstating sanctions and prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments.

Efforts to revive the JCPOA commenced in April 2021 in Vienna, but despite multiple rounds of negotiations, no substantial progress has been reported since the last talks in August 2022.