Iran's recent decision to limit IAEA inspections will be at the heart of the Governing Council's discussions this week, which will need to strike a balance between firmness and restraint so as not to jeopardize the chances of saving the 2015 deal.
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The quarterly meeting, which is being held by videoconference, will open Monday at 10 a.m. from the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, where Director General Rafael Grossi will hold a press conference in mid-day.
"It is the common responsibility of the 35 governors to ensure that the debates (however heated) do not negatively affect diplomatic efforts aimed at fully re-establishing the JCPOA"
(joint comprehensive plan of action), warned the ambassador. Russian Mikhail Ulyanov on his Twitter account.
“We are in a race against time
(...)
.
The window of opportunity is getting very narrow, ”
he added.
The common comprehensive plan of action has been hanging by a thread since the American withdrawal in 2018 at the initiative of Donald Trump, and the reinstatement of sanctions.
If Joe Biden promised to return to the agreement, Iran ruled Sunday evening that the time was not appropriate to meet,
"given the recent positions and actions of the United States and the three European countries
(France , United Kingdom, Germany)
”
.
In Tehran's sights, rumors of resolution.
The Europeans have indeed examined the possibility of submitting to the Board of Governors a text to express their concerns and call Iran to order, but nothing had yet been decided this weekend, according to diplomatic sources, specifying that the Iranian dossier is not expected to be tackled until later in the week.
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The last warning dates back to June 2020 when the Islamic Republic refused to allow the inspection of two suspicious sites.
It was the first critical resolution since 2012.
"The introduction of a resolution, in total disregard of constructive exchanges with the Agency, would be absolutely counterproductive and destructive"
, warns the Islamic Republic in an informal paper sent to Member States.
Such a gesture
"would undermine the skillful diplomacy of @rafaelgrossi,"
said Ali Vaez, of the conflict prevention organization International Crisis Group, on Twitter.
Director General Rafael Grossi visited Tehran a week ago, where he negotiated a
"temporary technical agreement"
for three months to maintain oversight, albeit reduced, of the nuclear program, thus offering a reprieve to the great powers. to initiate talks.
"Blackmail"
In the event of a vote of a critical resolution against it, Iran threatened to
"put an end"
to this solution, by which it undertakes to provide all the data of the cameras and other tools if the sanctions are lifted. at the end of the period.
For their part, Europeans do not appreciate what he describes as
"blackmail"
of Tehran, explains a diplomat.
In recent weeks, the Islamic Republic has taken a new step in its disengagement from the agreement (moving to a level of uranium enrichment of 20%, production of uranium metal and limitation of inspections), with the aim of pushing The United States to lift the punitive measures that are suffocating its economy.
Read also: Nuclear: Iran and IAEA find a "temporary" agreement
Concluded in 2015 in Vienna between Iran and the 5 + 1 group (France, United States, Great Britain, Russia, China, Germany), the JCPOA initially aimed to supervise the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic in exchange for a reduction in international sanctions.
Despite its denials, it is accused of seeking to acquire atomic weapons, in particular by Israel, its sworn enemy.
"Iran has shown restraint in negotiating this technical agreement with the IAEA, and it would be foolish if the Americans were wasting the time thus saved"
, comments for AFP Kelsey Davenport, director of non-government policy. proliferation within the Arms Control Association, calling on Washington to make a "concrete gesture".
"In the short term"
, the UN agency can continue to do its job without much impact on its inspections,
"but if the situation drags on, confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program will be shaken," he
said. -she.