Major Victory As 1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Gets Green Signal
Iran has granted access to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to inspect two former nuclear sites which are “suspected” to be still having outstanding issues with the nuclear safe-guards measures. Iran agreed to this during IAEA Director General’s recent visit to Tehran. IAEA. the global watchdog has long been critical of Iran’s mute stand and not providing clarifications to questions pertaining to a “possible undeclared” nuclear material and on-going nuclear-process related activities at these two questionable locations. Iran has been firm on denying access to these sites till now.
The questionable activities that have been believed to be linked to nuclear-related process are believed to have taken place before 2015. This was the time when Iran had signed a crucial deal with international powers that placed sanctions on its nuclear programme. However, the evidence with IAEA is suggestive that till 2003 Iran conducted “a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device.” Iran although maintains of never having sought any nuclear weapons.
On Monday, the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visited Tehran for a meeting with Ali Akbar Salehi, Head of Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran. Post discussions they announced on Wednesday in a joint statement of have “reached an agreement on the resolution of the safeguards implementation issues specified by the IAEA, in good faith.”
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The statement further said, “In this regard, Iran is voluntarily providing the IAEA with access to the two locations specified by the IAEA and facilitating the IAEA verification activities to resolve these issues.” IAEA is going to inspect the sites of prior nuclear activities under the context of Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement of the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It is also tasked with providing an additional protocol that Iran had agreed of implementing in 2015.
The controversial nuclear history and stand of Iran
The issues regarding Iran’s sites, as expressed by IAEA in its June report express that there was possibly a presence of natural Uranium at one of these sites between 2002-2003, in form of metal disc. Reports further say that in 2003-2004 the said site was extensively sanitized and levelled. Report further says that at the second site, there was a possible storage and use of nuclear material along with conduction of nuclear-related activities. Theset it. Biden’s spokesperson took to twitter and said that the long-drawn plan will finally see the light of day. “Clean drinking water for kids, broadband access, electric vehicles with the biggest investment in public transit. It is happening; and more to come.” Also sub divided as the Build Back Better Act, the months of negotiations meant moderate members were stuck of seeking adjustment to the overall cost and the inclusion of paid leave and lower prescription drug prices. Both have been removed.
The tussle has been intense between both the bills to be passed together under the infrastructure bill. Progressives initially blocked the infrastructure vote amid suspicion that Senate centrists would reject the Build Back Better bill as soon as they got their transport upgrades signed into law. By funding work on roads, bridges and ports and high-speed internet, the White House says that Build Back Better would create millions of high-paying jobs.
The bill will deliver $550 billion of new federal investments in America’s infrastructure over five years, touching everything from bridges and roads to the nation’s broadband, water and energy systems. Experts say the money is sorely needed to ensure safe travel, as well as the efficient transport of goods and produce across the country. The nation’s infrastructure system earned a C- score from the American Society of Civil Engineers earlier this year.