Cairo - Iran, Egyptians and UN leaders met in Cairo on Monday to discuss Iran's nuclear program after a report from the UN nuclear watchdog said Iran was further increasing its uranium enrichment to near weapons-level stocks.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the Vienna-based IAEA, said the agency compiled the report because the uranium enrichment of Iranians is an ongoing concern of the board of directors of the IAEA committee.
"We hope that by providing clarification, we will provide a motivation to articulate clarity, inspire peace solutions and diplomatic solutions," Grossi said in Cairo.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, although it is unclear whether Aragchi will meet directly with Grossi. The two spoke over the phone earlier Sunday.
Araghchi wrote in the messaging application telegram that he emphasized Iran's "continuing cooperation" in his conversation with Grossi.
The confidential IAEA report seen on Saturday raised a harsh warning that Iran is now "the only country in a non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such materials," the agency said, which it said was "a serious concern."
Iranian leaders believe that the IAEA report is a political motivation for Grossi's hope to become the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Mohammad Eslami, head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, told the official IRNA news later Sunday that Grossi tried to use the report to attract votes from several members of the UN Security Council.
“He basically chose a political attitude, which makes the environment more politicized, but technical,” Esrami said.
Omanian Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is mediating the U.S.-Iran talks, visited Tehran on Saturday to make the latest recommendations to the ongoing U.S. negotiations. Araghchi wrote in the telegram that Iran is studying the proposal and developing a response.
U.S.-Iran's negotiations are trying to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for some broken economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. on the Islamic Republic, which has been tense for nearly 50 years.
At that time, the fifth round of negotiations between the United States and Iran ended in Rome with "some, but not conclusive progress."
Iran's deputy foreign minister issued a detailed response on Sunday, rejecting many of the findings of the report. Kazem Gharibabadi noted that of the 682 inspections of the IAEA in 32 states, 493 states were conducted in Iran alone.
“As long as a country’s nuclear activities are monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency, there is no reason to be paid attention to,” he said. “The Islamic Republic of Iran neither pursues nuclear weapons nor any undeclared nuclear material or activity.”
Iran has enriched uranium by 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium as of May 17, an IAEA report said. This has increased by nearly 50% since the IAEA's last report in February. 60% enriched material away from 90% weapon-grade level for short-lived, technology.
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Lidman is from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.