BICOM

The latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that Iran has steadily increased its stockpiles of nuclear fuel during the last 18 months, raising questions over how such material would be reduced in the event of a long-term deal with the international community.

Iran and the P5+1 agreed a framework to a comprehensive nuclear deal in April, paving the way for negotiations to begin towards a long-term accord, which must be agreed by the end of this month. However, both sides have since indicated differences over fundamental issues such as Iran’s use of advanced centrifuges, the pace of sanctions relief and provision for international inspections.

Iran appears to have accepted limitations in the amount of nuclear material in its possession for a temporary period of 15 years, though it remains unclear what mechanism would be established to ensure such a process takes place. The latest report by the IAEA, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, documents an increase in nuclear fuel of around 20 per cent during the last 18 months, suggesting that a reduction in nuclear fuel will be a significant technical challenge for Iran, without it shipping the material out of the country, which it has rejected. The New York Times says that although the IAEA report does not suggest that Iran is racing nuclear armament, the increase nonetheless poses “a major diplomatic and political challenge” for the Obama Administration, which will need to convince US Congress and sceptical allies that a deal with Iran will see a reduction in nuclear capacity.

Meanwhile, exerts of an interview given by President Obama to Israel’s Channel Two were broadcast yesterday, in which he insisted that, “The best way to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon is a verifiable, tough, agreement … A military solution will not fix it.” With Israeli leaders having repeatedly warned that the nascent deal will not quash Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Obama addressed Israelis saying, “I understand your concerns and I understand your fears.” The full interview is set to be broadcast this evening.