National Security
Iran Blocks Access to Nuclear
Sites, IAEA Says in New Report
https://freebeacon.com/national-security/iran-blocks-access-to-nuclear-sites/
Iran accelerates nuclear
program in violation of international accords
The Arak heavy water plant in
Iran / Getty Images
Adam Kredo - June 8, 2020 4:59 AM
Iran is
blocking international access to critical nuclear sites and has quickened the
pace of its uranium enrichment program, shortening the time it would take the
country to build a nuclear weapon, according to the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) and U.S. experts.
In violation of international
accords, Iran continues to stockpile enriched uranium, the key component in an
atomic weapon, and is blocking access for international inspectors seeking to
provide oversight of several sites believed to be part of Iran’s clandestine
program, according to a nonpublic IAEA report distributed to partner
nations on Friday.
The IAEA report indicates that
Iran is in breach of safeguards enacted by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty, which is overseen by the international agency. By blocking access to
several nuclear sites, Iran is preventing the agency from accounting for
undeclared nuclear materials currently in use by the regime.
Iran also has made a sizable
increase in the amount of low-enriched uranium it keeps in the country, another
violation of U.N. mandates barring Tehran from stockpiling nuclear material.
Because of this, Iran has shortened the time it needs to successfully build a
nuclear weapon.
A State Department spokesperson
confirmed that Iran is expanding its nuclear endeavors describing it as a
"transparent attempt to generate negotiating leverage and extort the
international community."
The United States will "continue
imposing maximum pressure on the Iranian regime until it ceases its
destabilizing activities and negotiates a comprehensive deal," the
official said.
If Iran fails to abide by
international laws, it will "face the consequences of even deeper and broader
sanctions," according to the State Department.
U.S. officials remain
"deeply concerned about Iran's ongoing refusal to cooperate with the IAEA
regarding possible undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran,"
the official said, adding that Iran must be forced to comply with IAEA demands.
"Iran is
attempting to stall the IAEA's investigation, stating that it requires further
clarification and does not want its refusal of access to be called
‘denial,’" Andrea Stricker, a nuclear proliferation expert with the
Foundation For Defense of Democracies, told the Washington Free Beacon. "The
IAEA is pushing back forcefully, stating there are ‘no legal ambiguities
regarding the Agency's rights and obligations’ and its requests are ‘strictly
in accordance with the Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol.’"
Since
January, Iran has refused to permit IAEA inspectors access to two sites
believed to be part of Iran’s nuclear program and currently storing undeclared
materials.
There is also
evidence that Iran is continuing enrichment work at its Fordow site, an
underground bunker that once housed the country’s atomic weapons program. Under
U.N. regulations, work at Fordow is subject to international sanctions. This
evidence could also provide ammunition for the United States to petition the
U.N. Security Council to enact what is known as snapback, a full reimposition
of sanctions that were lifted as part of the nuclear deal signed during the
Obama administration.
Iranian leaders have made clear
in recent months that the country will continue enriching uranium, in violation
of the nuclear accord, until European nations provide it with greater access to
cash.
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