US threatens escalation with Iran in nuclear row

The US has threatened to confront Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency next month if it does not cooperate more with the watchdog — an escalation that could undermine talks on reviving a 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran.

Tehran is locked in several standoffs with the IAEA, whose 35-nation board of governors is holding a quarterly meeting this week.

Former US President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the JCPOA, otherwise known as the Iran nuclear deal, that lifted sanctions on Tehran in return for restrictions on its atomic activities.

Trump reimposed debilitating sanctions, after which Tehran expanded its nuclear work and reduced cooperation with the IAEA.

Iran is currently denying the agency access to re-install surveillance cameras at a workshop at the TESA Karaj complex.

The IAEA also wants answers on the origin of uranium particles found at apparently old but undeclared sites, and says Iran continues to subject its inspectors to “excessively invasive physical searches.”

In a statement, it said: “If Iran’s non-cooperation is not immediately remedied … the board will have no choice but to reconvene in extraordinary session before the end of this year in order to address the crisis.”

It added it was referring “especially” to re-installing IAEA cameras at the Karaj site, which makes parts for advanced centrifuges for enriching uranium.

That workshop was struck by apparent sabotage in June, which Iran says was an attack by Israel. Israel has not commented on the incident.

One of four IAEA cameras installed there was destroyed and its footage is missing. Iran removed all the cameras after the incident.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said on Wednesday that he did not know if the workshop was operating again, and that time was running out to reach an agreement, adding no progress had been made on several other disputes.

An extraordinary board meeting would most likely be aimed at passing a resolution against Iran, a diplomatic escalation likely to antagonize Tehran.

That could jeopardize indirect talks between Iran and the US on reviving the JCPOA, due to resume on Monday.

Iran wants the lifting of all sanctions in a verifiable process, its Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Friday.