IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called Thursday for a new framework for negotiations with Iran over its almost weapon level nuclear program, describing the 2015 deal as an “empty shell.”
At a press conference in Tokyo, Grossi said the text of the previous JCPOA agreement already contains outdated information, including the types of centrifuges used by Iran, according to the Russian news agency, TASS.
“It is necessary to look for a new format for a deal with Iran,” Grossi said.
“The JCPOA is an empty shell. I don't think anybody thinks that the JCPOA can play a role at the moment. I think it used to be an agreement that was in operation for some time, but now, irrespective of what you may think about its merits or lack of thereof, it is obvious that technologically speaking, it has been completely superseded. It is no longer fit for purpose,” he added.
Grossi noted that during his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the two sides agreed that “the philosophy of the JCPOA,” which is based on Iran's “restraint of activities in exchange for incentives,” can continue.
The nuclear deal -- known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action -- collapsed following Washington’s withdrawal from it in 2018 during the first term of US President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January.
Last week, Grossi warned that Iran was in the process of increasing around sevenfold its monthly production of uranium enriched to up to 60%.
He said Iran would likely have about 250 kg of uranium enriched to up to 60% by the time of the agency's next report in the coming weeks.
That is enough in principle, if enriched further, for six nuclear bombs, according to an IAEA yardstick.
“I think we are running out of time, but it doesn't mean that we can't do it fast,” Grossi said in an interview on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
“The IAEA is there and has all the information and elements, but when it comes to the policy it's up to the countries,” he added.
Also last Sunday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “finish the job” against Iran with the support of Washington.
Earlier this month, intelligence reports warned that Israel is likely to launch a preemptive attack on Iran's nuclear program by midyear.
Analysts say Iran is forced to negotiate with Trump, with the downfall of its key ally, the Assad regime in Syria, and the severe weakening of Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump said Iran's military vulnerabilities appeared to have left it in a weakened position, making negotiations more appealing than confrontation.
Trump predicted that Washington would make a deal with Iran to prevent it from developing its nuclear program, but added that Tehran is very frightened because its defenses have been allegedly destroyed in an Israeli strike last year.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran has repeatedly announced that it seeks dialogue but will never succumb to force and pressure and hold negotiations “at any cost.”
“It is not acceptable to impose sanctions and say that you should have no missiles or weapons, and then talk about negotiations again,” Pezeshkian said in a meeting with elites and intellectuals of Tehran Province on Thursday.
