Tensions grew between Tehran and the IAEA over the nuclear plant

 Tensions grew between Iran and IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), the world's "Atoms for Peace and Development" organization within the United Nations (UN), over the changes at the Fordow nuclear plant. 

On Tuesday, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, highlighted the importance of resuscitating diplomatic efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear program. He said that he would go to Tehran soon to monitor Iran’s nuclear program.

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency also said that Iran should not have carried out recent unilateral changes at the Fordow nuclear plant, an underground uranium enrichment facility near Fordow village. 

Speaking at Chatham House in London, he revealed that IAEA discovered an undeclared change to the interconnection between two machines, enriching advanced uranium. 

Grossi said that he wanted a reset with Iran. He also rejected Iranian claims that he was seeking to politicize the issue of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, which comes under the control of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran.

The global nuclear watchdog said in a confidential report that a change was made in the interconnection between two cascades of advanced IR-6 centrifuges at the Fordow plant. The IAEA report highlighted Iran’s obligations under a safeguard agreement required by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

However, Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, dismissed the report. France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States rejected Iran’s stance over the IAEA’s report.

In November 2022, the Fordow plant saw a boost in the enrichment of uranium to 60 percent. Iran also turned off the remaining agency inspection cameras at the site at Fordow.

Iran and Western countries clashed over the country’s nuclear program. The talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal or JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) was affected by clashes over Iran’s Fordow plant.