Iran restricts access to surveillance cameras at IAEA nuclear inspections… “concerned about unreported nuclear material”

IAEA “Concerns about storing uranium in unreported areas”
US State Department “cooperates with IAEA to resolve unreported nuclear material problem”

[아시아경제 이현우 기자] As Iran officially announced restrictions on nuclear inspection, saying it would restrict access to surveillance camera networks for nuclear inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), negotiations on the Iranian nuclear agreement (JCPOA, Comprehensive Joint Action Plan) with the West became even more difficult. Are concerned that they will suffer. The IAEA said that only Iran’s officially announced reserves of enriched uranium have already exceeded 14 times the nuclear agreement allowance, and are concerned that huge amounts of uranium may be stored in unreported areas.

According to foreign media such as the Associated Press, Iran’s state TV on the 23rd (local time) reported that “cooperation with the IAEA inspectors will be restricted from this day.” As Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said earlier, the IAEA is expected to be restricted from accessing the surveillance camera network installed at Iran’s nuclear facility. It is known that the Iranian government has not yet revealed specific plans on how to restrict access to other IAEA inspectors.

The IAEA side is expressing warmth. According to the AFP news agency, the IAEA reported on that day, “Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium was 2967.8 kg as of the 16th, which is 14 times higher than the nuclear agreement allowed. There is a high possibility that nuclear materials such as unreported uranium may exist. “We are deeply concerned about the remaining unreported nuclear material under the agreement.”

The US Department of State also warned Iran that the unreported nuclear material issue must be resolved immediately. State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a press conference that day, “Iran should work with the IAEA to resolve the potential undeclared nuclear material problem. The US will work closely with the IAEA to discuss appropriate measures to support negotiations with Iran.” I will cooperate.”

The nuclear agreements (E3) in Europe such as Britain, France and Germany immediately condemned Iran. Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the three countries issued a joint statement on the same day, saying, “Iran’s actions are a violation of the nuclear agreement and greatly undermine the supervisory authority of the IAEA.” “Iran should stop any measures that reduce transparency and urge full cooperation with IAEA when necessary I urge you.”

Reporter Lee Hyun-woo [email protected]