IAEA demands verification of Iran nuclear ambitions amid ‘statement war’

Watchdog’s call for ‘strong system’ comes as US and Iran issue conflicting claims over ceasefire negotiations.The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has asserted that a “very strong system of verification” must by put in place to monitor Iran’s nuclear programme.Director General Rafael Grossi called on Friday for the nuclear watchdog to be given full access, noting that ensuring Iran is not able to develop nuclear weapons is the key objective of the preliminary ceasefire agreement with the United States.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3World aids rescue effort as Venezuela quake death toll hits 235list 2 of 3North Korea conducts major weapons tests; South training ‘drone warriors’list 3 of 3‘Affordability crisis’: How the Western housing crisis spiralledend of listThe US and its Western allies have for years warned that Tehran’s nuclear programme may be aimed at developing the capacity to build a weapon. Iran has always firmly denied it has any such intention, insisting its ambitions for the programme are strictly civilian.“The government of Iran has affirmed quite clearly that [developing nuclear weapons] is not their intention, but of course intentions are not enough,” Grossi told reporters on Friday. “In order to have certainty, we need to have a very strong system of verification as soon as practicable.”The IAEA’s position is not to judge intentions, he stressed, but it also cannot accept things at face value. “We must verify everywhere.”Inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites, which were attacked by the US and Israel in a 12-day war last June, have become a key point of disagreement as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations to secure a permanent peace deal based on the 14-point memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month.Tehran suspended cooperation with the IAEA following the US and Israeli attacks last year. In September, it agreed to allow inspectors to return, and IAEA officials have since visited nuclear sites in the country.