Iran may allow US watchdogs to inspect nuclear programme
Iran may allow the UN’s nuclear watchdog to send US inspectors to parts of Iran if Tehran-Washington talks are successful, said Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami on May 28th, according to The National.
The US and Iran are due to hold a sixth round of negotiations to reach a new agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. The two nations have disputed over Iran’s uranium enrichment, with Washington claiming it to be weapons-grade level and must be brought down to zero. Iran has insisted its programme is for civilian and peaceful purposes only.
US President Donald Trump predicted “good news” from the outcome of the talks.
“It is normal that inspectors from hostile countries are not allowed, but if a nuclear deal is reached, we might allow American inspectors working for the International Atomic Energy Agency to visit our nuclear sites,” Eslami said in a press conference in Tehran.
“Enrichment is the foundation and pillar of the country’s nuclear industry. Suppose someone is allowed to have an electricity substation and network, but not allowed to establish a power plant,” he continued.
In April, the UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi stated that Iran was “not far” from being in possession of a nuclear bomb. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) oversaw Iran’s nuclear programme and monitored its adherence to the 2015 deal, which later saw the withdrawal of the US from it under Donald Trump’s first term.
On May 28th, Israel rejected the New York Times’ claim that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to strike Tehran’s nuclear enrichment sites, thus halting US-Iran negotiations. Netanyahu’s office claimed the report was “fake news”.
Iran and Israel have experienced longstanding tensions, which came to a climax during attacks in April and October 2024.
Iranian legals claimed that they had put a man to death who was accused of spying for Mossad, the Israeli national intelligence agency.
“After identification, arrest, and judicial proceedings against Pedram Madani, who was spying in favour of the Zionist regime, and following the complete process of criminal procedure and the final confirmation and upholding of the verdict by the Supreme Court, he was brought to justice and executed,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online reported.
There have been multiple cases in which Iran has targeted individuals associated with spying for Israel. Iran enacts the second most annual executions across the world after China, according to Amnesty International.
The National/Reuters
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
