Nuclear inspector suggests trusting Iran but confirming their commitment to negotiations

There is still much to be uncovered about the ongoing nuclear talks between Washington and Iran. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, emphasized the importance of trusting but verifying that Tehran is participating in negotiations in good faith.

The United States and Iran will have their third round of talks, touching on both technical aspects of Iran’s nuclear program and political negotiations, scheduled for Saturday. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi praised the discussions between the U.S. and Iran, facilitated by Oman, but mentioned that the agency has not yet been asked to get involved in the talks.

Despite this, Grossi has been in contact with Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, indicating some level of communication. The international community is closely watching these negotiations, hoping for progress towards a peaceful resolution.

An Iranian newspaper with a cover photo of Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is seen in Tehran, Iran, on April 12.  (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)

Fox News Digital obtained a copy of an address Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi — who traveled to China on Wednesday to reportedly discuss progress in the nuclear negotiations — was set to give at the Carnegie International Nuclear Policy Conference, though he never delivered the address due to format change requests by Tehran that were denied by the host. 

But in his address, he was set to position Iran as a proponent of nuclear non-proliferation and said Iran’s position had been “mischaracterized.”

Since the U.S.’ withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Tehran has argued made the deal mute, Iran has significantly advanced its programs by stockpiling near-weapons-grade-enriched uranium to levels that, if further enriched, could produce five nuclear warheads, as well as its centrifuges and missile capabilities. 

When asked by Fox News Digital if Grossi assessed the Islamic Republic’s position to be honest, he said, “Trust, but verify. We need to verify.”

“We are inspectors — that’s the only way we build trust,” he added. 

Grossi said the administration needs to identify what the end goals of this latest deal will be, as the framework of the JCPOA — widely criticized by Trump — is now very dated due to the advancements Iran has made. 

This photo released on Nov. 5, 2019, by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran shows centrifuge machines in the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP, File)

Issues like uranium stockpiles, inventories, centrifuge advances and weaponization capabilities are all on the table in the U.S.-Iran negotiations. 

“We have a much more complex field in front of us,” Grossi warned. “The good thing is we know what we need to look at. We have a unique perspective of that.”