‘Space narrowing’ for temporary Iran nuclear agreement: IAE

VIENNA: The UN nuclear watchdog’s head said on Monday it was "becoming increasingly difficult" to extend a temporary inspections arrangement with Iran, as Tehran and world powers try to salvage a nuclear deal.

In February, Tehran suspended some IAEA inspections, leading the agency to strike a temporary three-month deal allowing it to continue its activities despite the reduced level of access. "I can see this space narrowing down," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi told journalists in Vienna at the beginning of the quarterly meeting of the IAEA’s board of governors. In late May the ad hoc arrangement was extended until June 24, with Grossi describing the remaining time as "very short". He also referred to a long-running attempt by the IAEA to get clarity on several undeclared Iranian sites where nuclear activity may have taken place, mostly in the early 2000s.