IAEA meets with Iranians amid enrichment concerns

IAEA meets with Iranians amid enrichment concerns

Subject : International Relations

Section: International organisation

Concept :

• The head of the UN nuclear watchdog was meeting with officials in Iran on Saturday, days after it was revealed that the country had enriched particles of uranium to near weapons-grade, raising new alarm over its long-disputed nuclear programme.
• The confidential quarterly report by the IAEA, which was distributed to member states on Tuesday, came as tensions were already high amid months of anti-government protests in Iran and Western anger at its export of attack drones to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.
• The IAEA took samples, which showed particles with up to 83.7 per cent purity, the report said.
• The IAEA report only spoke about particles, suggesting that Iran isn’t building a stockpile of uranium enriched above 60 per cent the level it has been enriching at for some time.
• However, the agency also said in its report that it would further increase the frequency and intensity of agency verification activities at Fordo after the discovery.

International Atomic Energy Agency

• Widely known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the United Nations family, the IAEA is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.
• Establishment:
• The IAEA was created in 1957 in response to the deep fears and expectations generated by the discoveries and diverse uses of nuclear technology.
• Headquarter: Vienna, Austria.
• Objective:
• The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
• In 2005, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work for a safe and peaceful world.
• Board of Governors:
• 22 member states (must represent a stipulated geographic diversity) — elected by the General Conference (11 members every year) – 2 year term.
• At least 10 members states — nominated by the outgoing Board.
• Board members each receive one vote.
• Functions:
• It is an independent international organization that reports annually to the United Nation General Assembly.
• When necessary, the IAEA also reports to the UN Security Council in regards to instances of members’ non-compliance with safeguards and security obligations.

Iran Nuclear Deal:

Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) said the session had been a “constructive” one and the member states have unity to lift the sanctions on Iran.

Concept:

• Commonly as the Iran nuclear deal or Iran deal, is an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program reached in Vienna on July 14, 2015
• It is signed between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States—plus Germany) together with the European Union.
• Under JCPOA, Iran agreed to eliminate its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium, cut its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 98%, and reduce by about two-thirds the number of its gas centrifuges for 13 years.
• For the next 15 years Iran will only enrich uranium up to 3.67%. Iran also agreed not to build any new heavy-water facilities for the same period of time.
• Uranium-enrichment activities will be limited to a single facility using first-generation centrifuges for 10 years. Other facilities will be converted to avoid proliferation risks.
• To monitor and verify Iran’s compliance with the agreement, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will have regular access to all Iranian nuclear facilities.
• The agreement provides that in return for verifiably abiding by its commitments, Iran will receive relief from U.S., European Union, and UNSC nuclear-related sanctions.
• On 5 January 2020, in the aftermath of the Baghdad Airport Airstrike that targeted and killed Iranian general QassemSoleimani, Iran declared that it would no longer abide by the limitations of the deal but would continue to coordinate with the IAEA, leaving open the possibility of resuming compliance.