Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has taken the lead in demanding answers from the Biden Administration regarding Iran's violations of its nuclear program. Rubio, along with several Republican colleagues, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressing their concerns and requesting an update on U.S. action to hold Iran accountable.

The letter states, "The Iranian regime is intent on fomenting terror across the region, as evidenced by its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah’s, brutal attacks this weekend on our ally, Israel. Now more than ever, you must ensure that you hold the regime accountable for its failure to comply with obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Further, we were disappointed that the administration did not call for a formal censure of Tehran given its continued non-compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."

Rubio and his colleagues are particularly disturbed by reports that the United States led efforts to oppose a censure of Iran at a recent IAEA Board of Governors meeting. They argue that this business-as-usual approach to resolving the situation is tantamount to an endorsement of the Iranian regime's activities.

This is not the first time Rubio has raised concerns about Iran's nuclear program. In September 2022, he and his colleagues sent a letter to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressing concern about Iran's demands to end an investigation into undisclosed nuclear activity.

The letter highlights several instances of Iran's non-compliance with its nuclear obligations. The IAEA has been investigating Iran's undeclared nuclear material and activities related to a secret effort to produce atomic weapons. Despite repeated requests, the IAEA has not been able to determine whether Iran retains covert nuclear weapons activities. Iran has also refused to cooperate with the IAEA's requests for access to certain sites and information.

The IAEA has reported violations of Iran's safeguards agreements at sites such as Lavisan-Shian and Marivan. The agency has found evidence of Iran conducting explosive experiments and using undeclared uranium particles. Iran has failed to provide credible explanations for these activities.

In their letter to Secretary Blinken, Rubio and his colleagues demand an explanation for the State Department's decision not to seek a censure of Iran at the recent IAEA meeting. They also request all documents related to the United States' opposition to the censure. Additionally, they ask for a determination of Iran's compliance with the NPT and an explanation of how Iran can be considered in compliance despite the IAEA's findings of safeguards violations. The senators also want to know what the State Department plans to do about Iran's failure to cooperate with the IAEA and whether any financial incentives or concessions will be given to Iran.

Rubio and his colleagues are eagerly awaiting a response from Secretary Blinken. They hope that their efforts will lead to concrete action against Iran and greater accountability for its nuclear program violations.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/in-face-of-brutal-tehran-backed-attacks-on-israel-rubio-leads-republican-colleagues-in-demanding-answers-for-violations-of-irans-nuclear-program/