Latest news with #AdditionalProtocol
Arabian Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Arabian Post
Syria Grants Inspectors Full Access to Former Nuclear Sites
Syria's transitional government has authorised immediate access for United Nations nuclear inspectors to several long-suspected former nuclear sites, marking a significant shift in the country's stance on nuclear transparency. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency , confirmed the development following high-level meetings in Damascus with President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Grossi described the new leadership as 'committed to opening up to the world' and expressed optimism that the inspection process could be completed within months. The IAEA's renewed access will focus on clarifying Syria's past nuclear activities, particularly concerning the facility in Deir el-Zour, which was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in 2007. The agency had previously assessed that the site was 'very likely' an undeclared nuclear reactor intended for weapons-grade plutonium production, a conclusion Syria had long contested. ADVERTISEMENT Under the former administration of Bashar al-Assad, Syria had consistently limited cooperation with the IAEA, denying inspectors full access to key sites and offering explanations that the agency found unconvincing. Traces of uranium were detected at multiple locations, including the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor in Damascus and a facility in Homs, raising concerns about undeclared nuclear materials and activities. Grossi indicated that the IAEA plans to revisit the Deir el-Zour site, as well as three other locations associated with Syria's historical nuclear efforts. He emphasised the agency's concern that enriched uranium, if unaccounted for, could be susceptible to smuggling or misuse. President al-Sharaa, who assumed office following Assad's departure in December, has signalled a willingness to engage with international institutions and explore peaceful nuclear energy applications. Grossi noted that al-Sharaa expressed interest in developing nuclear energy for civilian purposes, aligning with regional trends where countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Jordan are pursuing nuclear energy initiatives. The IAEA also aims to assist Syria in rebuilding its nuclear medicine and oncology infrastructure, which has been severely impacted by over a decade of civil conflict. Grossi stated that the agency is prepared to transfer equipment and expertise to support the country's healthcare system. The European Union has welcomed Syria's renewed cooperation with the IAEA but has called for further steps, including the conclusion and implementation of an Additional Protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty . Such a protocol would grant the IAEA expanded rights of access and information, enhancing the agency's ability to verify the peaceful nature of Syria's nuclear programme. Japan has similarly urged Syria to fully cooperate with the IAEA and to conclude an Additional Protocol without delay. Japanese officials have emphasised the importance of resolving outstanding issues related to Syria's past nuclear activities to restore international confidence.
Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Any US-Iran deal should include ‘robust' IAEA inspections, Grossi says
VIENNA - Any deal between Iran and the U.S. that would impose fresh nuclear curbs on Iran should include "very robust" inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said on Wednesday. The two countries are holding talks meant to rein in Iranian nuclear activities that have rapidly accelerated since President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of a 2015 deal between Iran and major powers that strictly limited those activities. As that deal has unravelled, Iran has increased the purity to which it is enriching uranium to up to 60%, close to the roughly 90% of nuclear arms-grade, from 3.67% under the deal. It has also scrapped extra IAEA oversight imposed by the 2015 pact. "My impression is that if you have that type of agreement, a solid, very robust inspection by the IAEA ... should be a prerequisite, and I'm sure it will be, because it would imply a very, very serious commitment on the part of Iran, which must be verified," Grossi told reporters. He stopped short, however, of saying Iran should resume implementation of the Additional Protocol, an agreement between the IAEA and member states that broadens the range of IAEA oversight to include snap inspections of undeclared sites. Iran implemented it under the 2015 deal, until the U.S. exit in 2018. Asked if he meant the protocol should be applied, Grossi said "I'm very practical," adding that this was not a subject in the talks. While the IAEA is not part of the talks, he said he was in touch with both sides, including U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. "I don't think they are discussing it in these terms. I don't see the discussion as being a discussion on legal norms to be applied or not. I tend to see this as more of an ad hoc approach," said Grossi. While the talks have appeared to be at an impasse, with the U.S. repeatedly saying Iran should not be allowed to refine uranium at all and Tehran saying that is a red line since enrichment is its inalienable right, Grossi said that gap was not impossible to bridge. "I think there's always a way," he said. "It's not impossible to reconcile the two points of view." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Any US-Iran deal should include 'robust' IAEA inspections, Grossi says
VIENNA - Any deal between Iran and the U.S. that would impose fresh nuclear curbs on Iran should include "very robust" inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said on two countries are holding talks meant to rein in Iranian nuclear activities that have rapidly accelerated since President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of a 2015 deal between Iran and major powers that strictly limited those activities. As that deal has unravelled, Iran has increased the purity to which it is enriching uranium to up to 60%, close to the roughly 90% of nuclear arms-grade, from 3.67% under the deal. It has also scrapped extra IAEA oversight imposed by the 2015 pact. "My impression is that if you have that type of agreement, a solid, very robust inspection by the IAEA ... should be a prerequisite, and I'm sure it will be, because it would imply a very, very serious commitment on the part of Iran, which must be verified," Grossi told reporters. He stopped short, however, of saying Iran should resume implementation of the Additional Protocol, an agreement between the IAEA and member states that broadens the range of IAEA oversight to include snap inspections of undeclared sites. Iran implemented it under the 2015 deal, until the U.S. exit in 2018. Asked if he meant the protocol should be applied, Grossi said "I'm very practical," adding that this was not a subject in the talks. While the IAEA is not part of the talks, he said he was in touch with both sides, including U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. "I don't think they are discussing it in these terms. I don't see the discussion as being a discussion on legal norms to be applied or not. I tend to see this as more of an ad hoc approach," said Grossi. While the talks have appeared to be at an impasse, with the U.S. repeatedly saying Iran should not be allowed to refine uranium at all and Tehran saying that is a red line since enrichment is its inalienable right, Grossi said that gap was not impossible to bridge. "I think there's always a way," he said. "It's not impossible to reconcile the two points of view." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Any US-Iran deal should include 'robust' IAEA inspections, Grossi says
By Francois Murphy VIENNA (Reuters) -Any deal between Iran and the U.S. that would impose fresh nuclear curbs on Iran should include "very robust" inspections by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said on two countries are holding talks meant to rein in Iranian nuclear activities that have rapidly accelerated since President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of a 2015 deal between Iran and major powers that strictly limited those activities. As that deal has unravelled, Iran has increased the purity to which it is enriching uranium to up to 60%, close to the roughly 90% of nuclear arms-grade, from 3.67% under the deal. It has also scrapped extra IAEA oversight imposed by the 2015 pact. "My impression is that if you have that type of agreement, a solid, very robust inspection by the IAEA ... should be a prerequisite, and I'm sure it will be, because it would imply a very, very serious commitment on the part of Iran, which must be verified," Grossi told reporters. He stopped short, however, of saying Iran should resume implementation of the Additional Protocol, an agreement between the IAEA and member states that broadens the range of IAEA oversight to include snap inspections of undeclared sites. Iran implemented it under the 2015 deal, until the U.S. exit in 2018. Asked if he meant the protocol should be applied, Grossi said "I'm very practical," adding that this was not a subject in the talks. While the IAEA is not part of the talks, he said he was in touch with both sides, including U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. "I don't think they are discussing it in these terms. I don't see the discussion as being a discussion on legal norms to be applied or not. I tend to see this as more of an ad hoc approach," said Grossi. While the talks have appeared to be at an impasse, with the U.S. repeatedly saying Iran should not be allowed to refine uranium at all and Tehran saying that is a red line since enrichment is its inalienable right, Grossi said that gap was not impossible to bridge. "I think there's always a way," he said. "It's not impossible to reconcile the two points of view."
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine plans to tax income of Russian POWs
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (the Government of Ukraine) has approved a draft law proposing to tax the income of Russian prisoners of war. Source: Taras Melnychuk, government representative to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament), on Telegram Details: Melnychuk reported the approval of the relevant bill by the Cabinet on 9 May. According to the proposed law, prisoners of war will be required to pay personal income tax as well as the military levy. The bill defines prisoners of war as a separate category of non-resident individuals in Ukraine, in line with the 1949 Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War and the 1977 Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions. Tax agents – including prisoner of war camps, penal institutions and pre-trial detention centres – will be obliged to include in their tax reporting both the total amount of income accrued to prisoners of war and the total amount of tax withheld. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
