U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs

05/04/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/04/2021 17:31

McCaul, Wilson, Chabot Urge Blinken to Ensure IAEA Has Access to Iran’s Nuclear Sites

Media Contact 202-225-5021

Washington, DC - House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX), Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism Ranking Member Joe Wilson (R-SC), and Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH), sent a letter on Monday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting information on the United States' strategy to ensure the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has access to Iran's nuclear sites.

'With the upcoming expiration of this understanding, we are concerned that the IAEA will lose what visibility it has on Iran's nuclear program. Given Iran's ongoing provocative nuclear behavior, including its announcement that it is enriching uranium at 60 percent, we fear that this opacity has grave implications for U.S. national security, as well as the security of our regional allies,' the lawmakers wrote.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Secretary Blinken,

We write to request information regarding the United States' diplomatic strategy to ensure International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to Iran's nuclear sites.

As you know, in February, Iran withdrew from the Additional Protocol, limiting IAEA inspectors' access to Iran's nuclear sites. At the time, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced a 'temporary bilateral technical understanding' that would enable the IAEA to verify Iran's nuclear activity for three months.

With the upcoming expiration of this understanding, we are concerned that the IAEA will lose what visibility it has on Iran's nuclear program. Given Iran's ongoing provocative nuclear behavior, including its announcement that it is enriching uranium at 60 percent, we fear that this opacity has grave implications for U.S. national security, as well as the security of our regional allies. This also puts the United States and our partners at a disadvantage as we seek a 'longer and stronger' nuclear deal, as is your stated goal. We urge you to ensure that this issue is resolved as quickly as possible and does not become fodder for negotiation and concession related to the JCPOA.

Please provide details regarding the United States' diplomatic strategy to ensure that the IAEA maintains appropriate access to Iran's nuclear sites. Given the time-sensitive nature of this request, we request your response by May 7.

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