Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has declared the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the JCPOA, outdated and in need of significant reforms. In an interview with Italy’s ANSA news agency, Grossi emphasized that Iran’s increased uranium enrichment requires an updated agreement that aligns with current nuclear realities.
“The original agreement can serve as a basis, but it is no longer useful in its current form,” Grossi stated, following his report to the IAEA Board of Governors. He urged for a collaborative effort among European nations, the US, China, and Russia to forge a new framework.
Iran’s nuclear program has escalated since the US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, leading to Iran reducing its adherence to the deal’s terms. Despite eight rounds of Vienna talks aimed at reviving the agreement, progress has been hindered by conflicting demands and delays.
The JCPOA’s signatories, excluding the US, had previously outlined commitments to counterbalance the economic fallout from US sanctions, but Europe’s inability to fulfill these has contributed to the current impasse.
Grossi’s call for reform underscores the urgent need for a revised approach to manage Iran’s nuclear ambitions effectively.