ELO TLO Questions PDF

Western officials view Iran\'s claims of reducing its \"enriched uranium stockpile\" and allocating it for civilian nuclear reactors as a \"ruse\" and a \"negotiation tactic,\" according to a report published by Bloomberg. Under normal circumstances, any move by Tehran to reduce its stockpile of hi...

Western officials view Iran\'s claims of reducing its \"enriched uranium stockpile\" and allocating it for civilian nuclear reactors as a \"ruse\" and a \"negotiation tactic,\" according to a report published by Bloomberg. Under normal circumstances, any move by Tehran to reduce its stockpile of highly enriched uranium that can be used in weapons would be welcomed by diplomats at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting in Vienna on March 4. However, tensions in the Middle East raise doubts about Iran\'s intentions. A few days ago, the International Atomic Energy Agency expressed its \"increasing concern,\" according to an unpublished report seen by Agence France-Presse. The Director General of the agency, Rafael Grossi, pointed out that \"Iran is making public statements about its technical capabilities to produce nuclear weapons, which heightens concerns,\" calling on Tehran for \"full cooperation,\" after relations between the two parties continued to deteriorate in recent months. Ali Faiz from the International Crisis Group told Bloomberg: \"The main concern regarding Iran\'s nuclear activities is not what is visible, but the part that is no longer visible.\" A European official, who requested anonymity, told Bloomberg that \"reducing the stock by converting uranium into a desirable fuel in the nuclear industries\...\" It does not alleviate concerns about other aspects of the Iranian nuclear program. He pointed out that there are concerns about \"potential undeclared sites\" as well as the lack of cooperation with international inspectors. According to a second document published a week before a meeting of the Board of Governors at the agency\'s headquarters in Vienna, Iranian stocks reached 5,525 kg on February 10, compared to 4,486 kg at the end of October, which is more than 27 times the level permitted under the international agreement, concluded in 2015, that regulates Tehran\'s nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. While Tehran denies any intention to acquire a nuclear bomb, a diplomatic source warns that some officials in the political class are making concerning comments. Meanwhile, Iran\'s stockpile of enriched uranium has significantly increased in recent months, and it currently has enough material to make several atomic bombs, according to Agence France-Presse. Another official told Bloomberg that nuclear diplomacy with Iran is on hold until after the U.S. presidential elections. Iran gradually abandoned its commitments under the agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in response to the United States\' withdrawal from it in 2018 during the presidency of former President Donald Trump. Negotiations to revive the agreement began in April 2021 in Vienna between Tehran and the major powers, but they have been stalled since August 2022 amid escalating tensions. Robert Greenway, who was the director of the National Security Council at the White House during Trump\'s presidency, warned that Iran appears ready to test one or more nuclear weapons by the end of the year, according to a report by Fox News. He confirmed that the U.S. administration is not applying the appropriate sanctions on Iran, pointing out that Tehran is close to achieving its nuclear armament goal. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant warned in May 2023 that Iran then had enough uranium to manufacture five nuclear warheads. Iran is enriching at high levels, far from the ceiling set at 3.67 percent, which is equivalent to what is used in nuclear power plants for electricity production. It now has 712 kg compared to 567 kg previously enriched to 20 percent, and 121 kg at 60 percent compared to 128 kg previously. Iran claims that it has slowed the pace of producing 60 percent enriched uranium, which is close to the 90 percent required for military purposes, after a surge in production at the end of last year. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Grossi, expressed his \"deep regret\" that Iran did not retract its decision to withdraw the credentials of several agency inspectors. A diplomatic source confirmed that Iran revoked the credentials of 8 inspectors of French and German nationalities. The International Atomic Energy Agency announced in September that Iran had informed it of taking this \"unprecedented\" step. And it has repeatedly confirmed that \"this step, which is officially permitted by the safeguards agreement\... It was carried out by Iran in a manner that directly and severely affects the International Atomic Energy Agency\'s ability to conduct inspections in Iran effectively. Grossi confirmed that Iran has reduced its cooperation \"in an unprecedented manner.\" In response to these criticisms, the Iranian government announced last week that it had invited Grossi to visit Tehran in May on the occasion of an international energy conference.