Marc Finaud, Head of Arms Proliferation at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), says Legally speaking, the Safeguards Agreement and the JCPOA are two different things.
He adds that “Creating a positive climate of cooperation with the IAEA in the implementation of the Safeguards Agreement can only facilitate the resumption of talks on the revival of the JCPOA when the political climate allows it.”
Following is the full text of interview:
Q: Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, visited Iran. What is your assessment of this trip?
A: This was an important opportunity to deliver useful messages from each side in order to restore or strengthen cooperation between Iran and the Agency. It can be assessed as successful although some topics need further technical discussions.
Q: Some believe that Grossi was able to take a good step with Iran on this trip regarding the issue of connecting two centrifuge cascades and the issue of 84% enrichment. Based on this, the surveillance in Fordo will increase by 50% and the cameras that were shut down will start working again. Based on this, it seems that Iran had good cooperation with the agency in this regard. What is your assessment?
A: It is always in Iran's interest to cooperate with the Agency fully in order to demonstrate that it is serious about implementing its obligations derived from its Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA. Any step in that direction can only be welcomed.
Q: With Grossi's positive comment, it seems that the Board of Governors of the IAEA will not issue a punitive declaration against Iran in its upcoming meeting. What is your assessment?
A: It is not in the power of the Director-General to impose a decision or lack of decision to the Board of Governors, which has its autonomy and takes its decisions depending on its own assessment of the case. If Iran can confirm the positive and optimistic assessment of the Director-General by its own behavior and full cooperation, the Board of Governors will be more easily convinced.
Q: Regarding 84% enrichment, according to Iran's explanation that the final product of enriched uranium is less than 60%, Grossi has not expressed any particular concern. What is your assessment and will the Board of Governors have a more serious reaction than Grossi?
A: There may be technical explanations. but even if it is related to 60%-enrichment, it can be a source of concern for the international community because it is way higher than permitted by the JCPOA and getting dangerously close to the weapons-grade level of 90%. Here again, in order to dispel any doubt, Iran will need to show full transparency and cooperation with the Agency.
Q: Perhaps it did not seem that Iran would increase its cooperation with the Agency at this level and perhaps provide a suitable ground for the revival of the JCPOA. What is your assessment?
A: Legally speaking, the Safeguards Agreement and the JCPOA are two different things. But creating a positive climate of cooperation with the IAEA in the implementation of the Safeguards Agreement can only facilitate the resumption of talks on the revival of the JCPOA when the political climate allows it.
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