RTRS-IAEA Report Claims Iran Breaching Nuclear Safeguards

Reuters posts headlines stating that according to a report it has seen from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran is enriching uranium at its Fordow plant in a manner that is inconsistent with Tehran's obligations and undermines the IAEA's ability to implement effective safeguards at the site.

• Reuters: Unannounced inspection at Iran's Fordow plant found the two cascades of IR-6 centrifuges enriching uranium to up to 60% purity were interconnected in a way 'substantially different' to what Iran had declared to IAEA.
• Reuters: Subsequently, Iran informed the IAEA that it had switched to this mode of operation on 16 Jan 2023, after an inspection that day. IAEA informed Iran that its failure to declare the change was inconsistent with Iran's obligations under Art. 45 of its safeguards agreement.
• Reuters: IAEA Chief Grossi is concerned that Iran has implemented a substantial change in its design information of Fordow in relation to the production of highly enriched uranium without informing the IAEA in advance. This undermines the IAEA's ability to implement effective safeguard measures at Fordow.
• Earlier today speaking to the BBC US Special Rep for Iran Robert Malley stated that "Iran is going to have to make a choice, whether it wants to continue to go down this path of greater isolation, greater pressure, more sanctions, no economic opportunity, or whether it chooses another one. What we're asking for is very simply for Iran to come back into compliance with its non-proliferation obligations..."