WANA (Aug 27) – The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that nuclear negotiations with Iran are currently stalled, describing the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program as being at an impasse.
Rafael Grossi said during a press conference in Washington that until key issues, including the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and other broader matters, are clarified, the nuclear issue will not be a priority. He said that, under the current circumstances, there is no clear channel for advancing discussions on the nuclear issue.
Grossi nevertheless emphasized that contacts with both the United States and Iran are continuing, saying that the IAEA remains engaged in dialogue with both sides. He added that Iran’s position is that no progress on the nuclear issue can be achieved until broader progress is made in the overall negotiations.
The IAEA chief also reported progress in recent contacts with Iran, saying that key nuclear issues and areas requiring joint cooperation have been identified. He referred to contacts between Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, U.S. special envoys, and Iranian representatives, and expressed hope that the process could yield results in the near future.
Grossi also claimed that Iran still possesses around 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium.
His remarks came as Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, has stressed that any inspection of nuclear facilities damaged in military attacks must be carried out in accordance with Iranian law, with the approval of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, and only after specific security protocols have been established. Eslami has said that requests to inspect the affected facilities under the current circumstances are “not acceptable.”