‘None Of Your Business’: Iran Rebuffs IAEA Chief’s Concerns Over Tunnels Built Around Nuclear Site

Latest Developments

• Grossi Asks for Clarification on Tunnels, New Security Perimeter: Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on April 24 that he is seeking clarification from Iran following the release of satellite imagery that reveals a new, deeply buried tunnel and expanded security perimeter at a new nuclear site near the Natanz enrichment complex. The Institute for Science and International Security published a report on April 23 detailing two sets of tunnel entrances and partially erected wall panels forming a new security perimeter around Mt. Kolang Gaz La. “We’re asking them, what is this for? … They’re telling us it’s none of your business,” Grossi said.
• Grossi Speaking With White House Iran Envoy Ahead of Fresh Negotiations: Grossi revealed on April 23 that he has been in communication with White House envoy and lead Iran negotiator Steve Witkoff. “I have enormous respect for Ambassador Witkoff — I’ve been talking to him,” Grossi said, adding, “I see there is a group of very dedicated professionals … behind him.” Technical talks between Washington and Tehran are expected to take place this weekend, following two previous rounds of negotiations since President Donald Trump stated that a nuclear deal is preferable to military action.
• Rubio Says Iran Cannot Enrich: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an April 23 interview that any potential deal between the United States and Iran must require the Islamic Republic to relinquish all domestic uranium enrichment. “If Iran wants a civil nuclear program, they can have one just like many other countries can have one,” he said but emphasized that the Islamic Republic must “import enriched material” rather than produce it themselves. In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that “the core issue of enrichment itself is not negotiable.”

FDD Expert Response

“As demonstrated by the new satellite imagery of the site near Natanz, even during ongoing negotiations, Iran’s jihadi rulers are making it clear that their goal is to have nuclear weapons along with the means to deliver them to targets anywhere in the world. No amount of diplomatic palaver will change their minds. A more forceful approach is necessary.” — Clifford D. May, Founder and President

“Iran has long shirked its legal nonproliferation obligation to disclose and provide information about the construction of new nuclear facilities to the IAEA and is more interested in hardening its nuclear sites for a breakout. Along with Tehran’s nuclear advances and failure to comply with the IAEA’s investigation into the regime’s nuclear weapons work, this should tee up the IAEA board’s referral of Iran’s case to the UN Security Council for sanctions snapback when the board next meets in June.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“The Kolang Gaz La — or ‘Pickaxe’—mountain underground complex is intended to give the clerical regime a nuclear-weapons site that even the U.S. Air Force would have difficulty destroying with its largest conventional bombs. Adding tunnels and a security perimeter would further complicate any commando raid trying to sabotage the complex. Given the frequency of Israeli commando operations against Hezbollah targets, the Islamic Republic surely has anticipated these same sorts of raids on its own atomic sites.” — Reuel Marc Gerecht, Resident Scholar

“A halt to Iranian enrichment is essential to any agreement that would permanently and verifiably stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb. For an entire decade prior to the JCPOA, Iran was banned — by Security Council resolution 1737 — from ‘all enrichment-related’ activities. Such a ban remains essential to preventing an Iranian nuclear bomb and must be restored.” — Orde Kittrie, Senior Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Lack of Seriousness’: Iran Recoils at New U.S. Sanctions on Iranian Petroleum Magnate Amid Ongoing Nuclear Talks,” FDD Flash Brief

“Maximum Pressure on Tehran Regime in Motion as Trump Builds Negotiating Leverage,” by Janatan Sayeh and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“The Iranian Negotiating Tactic the Trump Administration Doesn’t Get,” by Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh

“FAQ: What Should Be Washington’s Position on Iran’s Nuclear Dismantlement?” by Andra Stricker and Janatan Sayeh