TITULO PROFESIONAL: Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency are in contact to resume dialogue, despite Iranian parliament’s decision to cut ties. Uncertainty remains over enriched uranium in Iran’s possession.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that it is in contact with Tehran to resume dialogue, despite the Iranian parliament’s decision to sever ties. However, the decision by the parliament is not binding. There are lingering doubts about the enriched uranium that Iran possesses. The IAEA’s comments come as the United States and its allies have been working to revive a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The deal aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, tensions between the U.S. and Iran have escalated in recent years, with the Trump administration withdrawing from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposing sanctions on Tehran. This move was followed by Iran’s gradual withdrawal from the deal, including increasing its uranium enrichment levels beyond what was allowed under the agreement. The IAEA has repeatedly expressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear activities, particularly its failure to provide explanations for traces of uranium found at three undeclared sites. The agency also raised questions about Iran’s recent move to install advanced centrifuges at its main enrichment site, which could significantly shorten the time it would take to produce enough material for a nuclear weapon. The Biden administration has expressed a willingness to rejoin the JCPOA and has been in negotiations with Iran since April 2021. However, progress has been slow, with both sides having different demands. The U.S. is pushing for Iran to return to full compliance with the deal, while Iran wants the U.S. to lift all sanctions before it takes any steps towards compliance. The IAEA’s comments come as a potential step forward in efforts to revive the nuclear deal, but many questions remain unanswered, particularly about Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and its refusal to cooperate with the agency on certain issues. The situation remains complex and uncertain, with tensions between the U.S. and Iran continuing to escalate in recent years.