Rubio, Risch, Portman Push for Continued Investigation Into Iran’s Illegal Nuclear Activities

Iran is demanding the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to end its investigation into its undisclosed nuclear activities as part of their stipulations to reenter a new nuclear deal with the United States.

Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL), Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Ranking Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID), and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Ranking Member Rob Portman (R-OH) sent a letter to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressing concern regarding Iran’s demands.

-“Earlier this month, as negotiations were reaching their culmination, Iran demanded the IAEA permanently close its ongoing investigation into Iran’s unreported nuclear activities in order to move forward with the deal. As you know, when Iran deployed this tactic in 2015, the P5+1 capitulated in order to advance the JCPOA. By prematurely closing the IAEA’s investigation into probable ties between Iran’s nuclear program and its military, the international community enabled Iran to hide the intent and scope of its nuclear program, severely undermining the credibility of the body and our nonproliferation regime.”

-“Since the IAEA opened its current inquiry in 2018, Iran has repeatedly blocked IAEA efforts to inspect and assess unreported and suspicious nuclear activity detected at numerous sites. To suggest closing this investigation without knowing the nature or extent of Iran’s nuclear activities, where the material in question is located now, or whether Iran is continuing such activities will again weaken the legitimacy of the IAEA and further embolden Iran to advance its nuclear program with impunity and outside the parameters of its international obligations.”

-“Your leadership has been substantial and should be credited with restoring the credibility of the IAEA, in particular with regard to its work in Iran. As you engage with the United States and other parties to the prospective nuclear agreement with Iran, we urge you to remain steadfast in your commitments that Iran provides honest responses regarding its nuclear program and is held to account for any wrongdoing under its international nuclear commitments.”

Want more? Read the full letter here.