Military Space News
NUKEWARS
Iran slams UN nuclear watchdog chief after centrifuge report
Iran slams UN nuclear watchdog chief after centrifuge report
by AFP Staff Writers
Tehran (AFP) Feb 4, 2023

Iran slammed UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi after the agency raised concerns over covert changes to equipment at its Fordo uranium enrichment plant, state media said Saturday.

The criticism of Grossi comes after the International Atomic Energy Agency director-general said he plans to visit Tehran in February for talks on getting it to increase cooperation over its activities, amid stalled negotiations to revive a landmark deal over Iran's nuclear programme.

The IAEA said in a confidential report seen by AFP on Wednesday that Iran had substantially modified an interconnection between two centrifuge clusters enriching uranium to up to 60 percent at Fordo Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), without giving prior notice.

Iran said later an inspector had "inadvertently" reported the changes, and that Grossi had issued the report despite the matter being resolved -- a response that the United States and its allies criticised as "inadequate".

"We gave a letter to the agency that an inspector... made a mistake and gave an incorrect report," Mohamad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

"But yet again the director-general of the agency released this issue to the media," he said, labelling it "unprofessional and unacceptable" behaviour.

"We hope that this practice will not be continued... because this is not acceptable for his reputation and the agency."

The IAEA had said that during an unannounced Fordo inspection on January 21 it found "two IR-6 centrifuge cascades... were interconnected in a way that was substantially different from the mode of operation declared by Iran to the agency".

Since late last year, the two cascades had been used to produce uranium enriched to up to 60 percent, the report to member states added.

In the report, Grossi expressed concern that Iran had "implemented a substantial change in the design information of FFEP in relation to the production of high enriched uranium without informing the agency in advance".

In a statement on Friday, the United States, Britain, France and Germany said Iran's response to the report was "inadequate".

"Iranian claims that this action was carried out in error are inadequate," they said.

"We judge Iran's actions based on the impartial and objective reports of the IAEA, not Iran's purported intent."

Grossi told the European Parliament on January 24 that he plans to visit Tehran this month "for a much-needed political dialogue, or reestablishment thereof, with Iran".

The IAEA chief noted the "big, big impasse" on the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The deal with world powers collapsed after the United States withdrew from it in 2018 under former president Donald Trump.

Negotiations that started in April 2021 to revive the agreement have since stalled.

Related Links
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
NUKEWARS
After Netanyahu talks, Macron warns of Iran nuclear 'consequences'
Paris (AFP) Feb 3, 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday denounced the "headlong rush" of Iran's nuclear programme after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in Paris to seek a stronger European stance against Tehran. In a statement released after a dinner meeting in the Elysee Palace, Macron warned that Tehran continuing with the atomic project "would inevitably have consequences". Both leaders discussed ways to counter "the Iranian nuclear threat" and Netanyahu stressed the need f ... read more

NUKEWARS
Advanced manufacturing powering development of Next Generation Interceptor

Kremlin keeps mum on missile systems seen on Moscow rooftops

Netherlands set to boost push for Patriot missile defenses in Ukraine

Ukraine forces to receive Patriot air defense training in US: Pentagon

NUKEWARS
Final flight of HAWC Program screams through the sky

Ukraine leader says wants long-range missiles, jets from West

Ukraine missile toll rises to 40 as Russia denies attack

Australia buys Ukraine-tested US missile system

NUKEWARS
Fire at Latvia factory of US drone supplier to Ukraine

China refused call with Pentagon chief on day of balloon downing: US

China says it 'regrets' unmanned airship's entry into US airspace

A balloon clouds US view on Xi's China

NUKEWARS
Comtech receives additional funding for US Army Communications

GIT becomes Iridium Certus Service Provider to DoD and other Government customers

Latest milestone brings NTS-3 Vanguard closer to 2023 launch

Viasat managed services contract by US Marine Corps

NUKEWARS
US sending longer-range precision rockets to Ukraine

US approves $10 bn sale of Himars rocket launchers to Poland

New long-range weapons will not target Russia: Ukraine defence minister

Western allies pledge precision rockets, missile systems to Kyiv

NUKEWARS
Norway to buy 54 new generation Leopard tanks

Ukraine defence chief says audit underway after corruption scandals

India hikes defence budget 13% with an eye on China

US sanctions target Russian arms trader

NUKEWARS
China balloon, polls scramble script for Biden speech to Congress

Beijing says balloon shot down 'damaged' relations; Confims LatAm balloon from China

Beijing says US media, politicians used balloon incident 'as pretext to smear China'

US, Philippines to restart joint patrols in South China Sea

NUKEWARS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.