Tipping Point Quick Hits (6.16.22)

Iran denies inspectors, Asteroid Apophis, and the Church as salt

Iran Closes Nuclear Inspector Access

In a move that should chill everyone living in the Middle East, we learned a few days ago that Iran has closed access points to inspectors working with the International Atomic Energy Agency. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi says that Iran has vowed to shut off 27 surveillance cameras at key nuclear facilities in the nation, calling it a “fatal blow” to a nuclear deal, according to The Jerusalem Post:

Grossi went so far as to say that even if the US and world powers reached a new deal with Iran sometime after four weeks, his agency would be unable to competently advise them how much Tehran would need to reduce its nuclear program to prevent it from crossing the nuclear threshold.

I shared about this in yesterday’s Tipping Point Show. Losing access to these cameras would prevent the watchdog agency from estimating Iran’s nuclear status.

Iran hasn’t shown any willingness to cooperate. The IAEA issued a resolution criticizing Iran’s stance, citing the nation’s refusal to explain traces of uranium discovered at three undeclared sites. Thirty-three of the 35 nations represented by this watchdog group signed onto the resolution. Only two nations refused: Russia and China. That’s no surprise.