U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened a series of high-level meetings this week in Washington with Israeli officials, European counterparts from E3 (France, Germany and United Kingdom), and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi to address rising concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. Discussions focused on Iran’s noncompliance with international obligations as well as possible United Nations sanctions reimposition (AP News +2 PressTV +2, Reuters +9 and PressTV). Secretary Rubio met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and reiterated the United States’ unflinching support for Israel’s security, discussing regional issues including Gaza and Lebanon as well as countering what they termed Iran’s “malign influence” in the Middle East. Secretary Rubio also met with IAEA Director General Grossi to discuss its monitoring and verification efforts pertaining to Iran’s nuclear activities. Grossi discussed IAEA’s ongoing challenges accessing Iran’s key nuclear sites like Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan after airstrikes damaged these facilities last June; he stressed the value of inspections to assess Iran’s current state; limited inspections have resumed at Bushehr but wider access remains restricted – Reuters +8, ABNA English +8 but only limited inspections had resumed at Bushehr. Secretary Rubio met with IAEA Director General Grossi to discuss monitoring and verification efforts related to monitoring Iranian activities relating to these facilities as outlined by him and AP News +3 and The Wall Street Journal +3 for discussions respectively Britain, France and Germany are set to invoke United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231’s “snapback” mechanism against Iran due to Tehran’s failure to meet various conditions laid out in 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). They have set an August 31st deadline for Iran to resume negotiations with the U.S., allow full access for IAEA inspectors at nuclear sites as well as account for more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium that has gone undetected – something Britain, France and Germany seem determined to do just this week. Iran has responded to these developments with threats of severe consequences should snapback sanctions be reinstated. They include suspending all cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), according to reports from Reuters, PressTV and The Washington Post. After withdrawing from the JCPOA in 2018, the United States continues to support E3’s efforts to hold Iran accountable. Secretary Rubio noted the necessity of taking an international approach against Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities; reiterating U.S. commitments not to develop nuclear weapons while keeping pressure on Tehran to comply with international norms and norms (pressTV). As August 31 approaches, the international community remains on high alert, closely watching Iran’s response and any ramifications it might have on regional and global security. Diplomatic efforts could significantly alter Iran’s nuclear program as well as relations between Tehran and Western countries.
