Yukiya Amano Transcript

What are the key points of your most recent report on Iran’s nuclear program?

There are a couple of important points in the latest report. One is that since November last year, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has intensified dialogue with Iran, and I myself went to Tehran, but so far there has been no concrete result. This is frustrating. We have requested access to the site called Parchin. According to our information, they have a large explosion chamber out there, but Iran did not give us access, and instead they demolished buildings, and removed the soil. In the meantime, Iran has continued to enrich uranium, up to 5% and up to 20%. These are the main points of my latest report.

According to the IAEA’s program, Iran’s program is considered peaceful, but what do they use their nuclear fuel for?

We say that the nuclear material and nuclear facilities, which are praised under IAEA safeguards, are staying in peaceful purpose. But, we do not know exactly, whether there are undeclared materials and activities. Therefore, we cannot say that all of the nuclear material and facilities are for peaceful purposes.

What steps would Iran have to take from where it is today to have a weapon? Is it simply a matter of enriching enough uranium?

Well, in general in order to make a nuclear weapon, high-enriched uranium is needed in sufficient amount. That is not the only thing, but having a high-enriched uranium is crucial to develop nuclear weapons. Also, development of bombshells or high explosives is needed.

And, Iran at this point doesn’t have the capability to enrich uranium to a high enough degree to create weapons, at this point?

What we say in our report is…we don’t say that Iran has some nuclear weapons. We don’t say that Iran has made a decision on the development of nuclear weapons, but we have pieces of information that indicate that Iran has engaged in activities relevant to the development of nuclear explosive devices. We are asking Iran to engage with us to clarify these issues.

Netanyahu said yesterday that Iran is 70% of the way there. Do you agree?

That is the assessment of Prime Minister Netanyahu, and we cannot comment on his assessment.

How would a strike against Iran from the US or Israel impact the IAEA?

I am a diplomat and IAEA is the organization to seek a solution through multi….and for us, the option is the peaceful approach. If there is a military strike, then that will certainly hamper verification of activities.

You’ve been accused of accommodating both Iran and Israel. Does it impact the job?

Accommodating? What we are doing is to provide the facts. And I am trying to provide as accurate information as possible, and the benchmark is to fully implement the comprehensive safeguard and the relevant information. So what I am doing is completely impartial and neutral.

What can the US do to assist you in that mission?

The US and other countries are encouraged to ask Iran to implement all of the regulatory obligations, including comprehensive safeguard and other obligations. Implementing the obligation is the key, and we need proactive, full cooperation from Iran.

Do you think sanctions have helped for that mission?

Sanction is not within the mandate of the IAEA. Our mission is to give assurance that all the material and facilities are in peaceful purpose. I cannot comment on sanctions.

Thank you very much for joining us on Great Decisions.