IAEA chief welcomes Iran's 'concrete step' on capping enriched uranium stockpile

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, left, meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran, Iran on November 14, 2024.

Iran has taken steps to halt the expansion of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said, welcoming this "concrete step in the right direction" on Wednesday. Grossi's comments came after Western powers submitted a resolution censuring Iran for its poor cooperation with the IAEA.

UN atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi on Wednesday welcomed Iran's "concrete step" on agreeing to cap its stockpile of highly enriched uranium after Tehran implemented preparatory steps to stop adding to its inventory.

"I think this is ... a concrete step in the right direction -- we have a fact which has been verified by us," Grossi told reporters in Vienna.

"I attach importance to the fact that for the first time... since the distancing of Iran from its past obligations, they are taking a different direction," he said.

But he said he could "not exclude" that Iran's commitment might falter "as a result of further developments".

The comments by Grossi came after Western powers submitted a resolution censuring Iran for its poor cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to its board meeting.

During the meeting, Iran agreed to freeze its sensitive stock of near weapons-grade uranium enriched up to 60 percent.

(AFP)


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