Iran warns European powers IAEA condemnation will ‘complicate’ nuclear talks | Nuclear Weapons News

Tehran reportedly offered to stop expanding its stockpile of highly enriched uranium during the visit of the UN nuclear watchdog chief.

Tehran, Iran – Iran has warned three European countries not to pass a new vote of no confidence against it, shortly after the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned efforts by France, Germany and the United Kingdom to pass their fourth resolution since 2020 at a meeting of the executive board of the United Nations nuclear watchdog on Wednesday.

According to Iranian news, Araghchi said in a phone call to his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, “This move by the E3 clearly contradicts the positive atmosphere created in relations between Iran and the IAEA and will only make the issue more complicated.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the news of various media outlets, including Reuters news agency and CNN, in the last confidential report presented by the IAEA to member countries on Tuesday, it was stated that Iran offered not to further expand its stock of 60 percent enriched uranium.

The global watchdog said Iran had “begun to implement preparatory measures” to limit its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to about 185 kg (407 pounds), close to the 90 percent weapons-grade enrichment required for a bomb. According to leaked reports.

It was reported that Tehran’s offer was made during IAEA chief Rafael Grossi’s visit to Iran last week.

Grossi met with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, who told him that he wanted to “clear doubts” about Iran’s nuclear program and allowed a tour of Iran’s sensitive nuclear sites.

Tehran has been gradually increasing its enrichment level and expanding its stockpiles of fissile material after the United States unilaterally withdrew in 2018 from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Washington embarked on a “maximum pressure” campaign of harsh sanctions and military conflicts against Iran, again based on the argument that the agreement signed by the E3, China and Russia, which took years to negotiate, was weak. He did not offer to replace it.

China and Russia voted against all previous censorship measures against Iran at the IAEA, including in 2020, 2022 and June 2024.

According to the IAEA and Western intelligence, Iran currently has enough fissile material for multiple bombs but has not yet pursued nuclear weapons.

Tehran maintains that it is not seeking weapons of mass destruction. But political and military officials are increasingly warning that this policy could potentially be reversed if threats from Israel and others become too great.

Europe’s move to condemn Iran at the IAEA meeting comes amid rising tensions amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

In a meeting with the French foreign minister, Iran’s Araghchi again condemned new European sanctions on Iran’s national airlines and shipping companies based on allegations that Tehran sent ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, and called the responsibility of Western parties for supporting “genocide”. He said he was carrying it. ”In Gaza.