Tension rises as Iran continues to violate Nuclear Deal restrictions

The United Nations (UN) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed its concerns as Iran persistently violates the 2015 Nuclear Plan agreements.

The IAEA has reported in a confidential document issued on Friday 5 June, that Tehran has exceeded the permitted amount of accumulated enriched uranium by eight times. Alongside these claims, Iran has reportedly continued to respond uncooperatively in issues of transparency. Both these actions are considered to be in violation of the terms that were accorded in the 2015 Nuclear Deal signed by the the Security Council five permanent members —China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, collectively known as the ‘P5’ – plus Germany and Iran.

Since February, Tehran has been reportedly increasing its enriched uranium stockpiles by approximately 500 kilograms, rising its initial amount of 1,020.9 kilograms to 1,571.6 kilograms. These numbers were already breaching the agreement as Iran is allowed to have a total of 202.8 kilograms accumulated.

In addition, throughout May, Iran has also denied access to sites that are known to contain uranium. This contributes to a rise in concern as there has been an increase in speculations in regards to what these sites contain.

“The Agency has identified a number of questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities at three locations that have not been declared by Iran” and “calls on Iran to cooperate immediately and fully with the Agency.”

The IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

Insight Analysis
The initial Deal was constructed by the P5 plus Germany and Iran. The US withdrew its participation from the deal three years later. The main intent of the agreement was to reduce Iran’s nuclear capabilities and in return all economic sanctions that were placed upon the country would be lifted.

Since the withdrawal of the US, Washington has been implementing harsh economic sanctions upon Iran. In response, Tehran has gradually been violating the norms listed in the Nuclear Deal. The Iranian government has justified their actions by communicating that they hope they serve as an incentive for the remaining nations involved to rise their economic aid in response to the actions taken by the US.