IAEA awaits access to Iranian nuclear facilities

Moscow (ANTARA) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) hopes to obtain access to Iran’s nuclear facilities within the next few weeks, stated IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

“I hope this can be realised in the next few weeks, no later than that. Do not forget that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they have signed refers to a 60-day period to reach a comprehensive agreement. Of course, there is more to it than just nuclear issues,” Grossi told RIA Novosti, published on Friday.

He also reminded that the document covers freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as well as issues of territorial integrity related to the ceasefire.

Grossi added that there are a number of issues that must be resolved, and all of them are quite complex. However, they have set a two-month deadline.

“Time is running out, so there is now less than that remaining. I hope that if a final agreement can be reached within that timeframe, it will open the opportunity to begin the real work, which certainly includes access to those facilities,” he added.

Furthermore, he stated that the IAEA believes the stocks of enriched uranium are still within Iran’s nuclear facilities. However, to ensure this, he noted that the IAEA needs to conduct inspections again to confirm that everything is still present.

“We have not done so yet, but there is sufficient reason to believe that the material is still at the current location,” said Grossi.

He explained that the IAEA’s assessment is based on the results of the last routine inspections conducted by the agency before the outbreak of the conflict known as the 12-day war.