Iran Ceased IAEA’s Access To Nuclear Sites
Source : The Hindu
GS II : Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora
Why in News ?
Iran’s Parliament speaker said international inspectors may no longer access surveillance images of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites that means Iran Ceased IAEA’s Access To Nuclear Sites
- Thus escalating tensions amid diplomatic efforts in Vienna to save Tehran’s atomic accord with world powers.
Key Facts
- Iran Ceased IAEA’s Access To Nuclear Sites based on the expiration of the three-month deadline, definitely the International Atomic Energy Agency will not have the right to access images
- Underscored the narrowing window for the U.S. and others to reach terms with Iran.
- Iran already enriching and stockpiling uranium at levels far beyond those allowed by its 2015 nuclear deal.
- Under Additional Protocol with Iran the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) collects and analyzes hundreds of thousands of images captured daily by its sophisticated surveillance cameras
- It had placed “2,000 tamper-proof seals on nuclear material and equipment.
Background of Iran Nuclear Deal
- Iranian development of nuclear technology began in the 1970s when the U.S. Atoms for Peace program began.
- Iran signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1968 as a non-nuclear weapons state and ratified the NPT in 1970.
- As a result of revolution on Iran they stopped nuclear program.
- Later Iran reinstated its nuclear program with assistance from Pakistan, China and Russia.
- Iran began pursuing an indigenous nuclear fuel cycle capability by developing a uranium mining infrastructure and experimenting with uranium conversion and enrichment.
- IAEA report concluded that Iran had failed to meet its obligations under the safeguards agreement in 2003.
- In 2003 the Tehran Declaration was reached between Iran and the EU 3
- Under this declaration Iran agreed to cooperate fully with the IAEA.
- Sign the Additional Protocol and temporarily suspend all uranium enrichment.
- 2006 Iran ended its voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol.
- There was a umber of sanction imposed over Iran.
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is part of UN resolution 2231 agreed by Iran and the P5 +1.
- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
- Iran’s stockpile of low-enriched uranium was reduced by 97%, from 10,000 kg to 300 kg.
- For ten years Iran will place over two thirds of its centrifuges in storage, from its current stockpile of 19,000 centrifuges.
- Iran may continue research and development work on enrichment, but that work will take place only at the Natanz facility.
- With cooperation from the “Working Group” Iran is to modernise and rebuild the Arak heavy water research reactor based on an agreed design to support its peaceful nuclear research and production.
- After the 15 years, many provisions of the JCPOA will expire, including most restrictions on Iran’s enrichment program.
Recent issues
- The deal nearly collapsed when President Trump withdrew from the JCPOA.
- US imposed devastating banking and oil sanctions.
- Iran’s Reaction
- Iran exceeded its limits to stockpile low enriched Uranium in 2019.
- It even began developing enriched uranium at its facilities.
- Iran’s parliament passed a law that led to a substantial boost in uranium enrichment in 2020.
- February 2021, Iran announced it will place new restrictions on the IAEA’s ability to conduct inspections of its facilities.
- But Iran allowed monitoring of some activities that would continue.
- Finaly Iran Ceased IAEA’s Access To Nuclear Sites.
How this may affect India ?
- India had ambitious project like Chabahar port, Bandar Abbas port, and other plans for regional connectivity that may thwart if tension increased.
- The chance for imposing sanction over Iran may affect India-Iran Oil procurement.
International Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field. It was established as an autonomous organization in 1957 through its own international treaty, the IAEA Statute.
- It is not under direct control of the UN.
- Though established independently of the United Nations, the IAEA reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
- It is widely known as the world‘s ―Atoms for Peace‖ organization.
- It also seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.
- The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies.
- The IAEA Secretariat is headquartered at the Vienna Austria.
- 168 member nations.
- The IAEA serves as an intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology and nuclear power
worldwide.
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