US-Iran deal: technical work can begin, says atomic energy agency

“We believe in the fact that the indispensable role of IAEA “This recognition is a good starting point,” said Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), refers to the text of the reported memorandum. “Now is the time for us to sit down with our American colleagues, Iranian colleagues and start formulating concrete steps that need to be taken. So, I think it’s good that the memorandum is there. Now the technical work begins.”

According to media reports, the memorandum of understanding provides a maximum of 60 days of negotiations to reach a “final agreement” on various issues including Iran’s uranium enrichment which must also reiterate that Iran has no intention of developing nuclear weapons.

Other conditions listed in the text of the memorandum include reopening the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping and easing US and UN agreements. Security Council sanctions against Middle Eastern countries.

That “immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon” is also featured prominently in the first of the 14 points of the memorandum.

Talking in good faith

Speaking at the UN in Geneva, Grossi refused to speculate on anything damaging “because we are starting and we have to start any negotiations with the assumption that we all agree on the belief, that we want to be successful”.

Responding to a question about Iran’s possible reduction in uranium enrichment levels, the IAEA chief noted that “many, many possibilities” could be explored.

“There are many different alternatives… There are varying levels of enrichment in Iran’s stockpile at the moment and we will see what is agreed.”

The agency’s access to all of Iran’s nuclear facilities “is not at the level and in all the locations that it should be”, he stressed, but contacts with authorities are ongoing and the agency has a “pretty good idea” of “the specific things, the places, that we need to access”.

Grossi added: “Now, I think, technical work can begin for real.”

The IAEA was founded in 1957 to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The body is an autonomous part of the UN system – meaning it is not under the direct control of the UN Secretariat – but reports to the UN General Assembly and Security Council.

The body is based in Vienna and has 180 member countries; This agency is mandated to monitor nuclear facilities objectively, report nuclear activities, monitor safety, promote peace through diplomacy and use nuclear technology for good.