The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi (pictured), has called for revision of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, UK, France, Germany, China, and Russia).

The statement is likely to provoke the Iranian leadership, which has rejected any renegotiation of the deal’s terms in the wake of the Trump Administration’s withdrawal in May 2018.

President Hassan Rouhani has said that the Biden Administration can return “within an hour” if it wishes; however, he said Tehran’s renewed adherence to the deal’s provisions is dependent on the lifting of comprehensive US sanctions. The Supreme Leader took a harder line on Wednesday, “My firm recommendation is not to trust the enemy.”

Supreme Leader Reasserts His “Bad Cop” Pose on Talks with US

Grossi said there were too many breaches for a simple return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of action:

I cannot imagine that they are going simply to say, ‘We are back to square one’ because square one is no longer there.

There is more [nuclear] material….There is more activity, there are more centrifuges, and more are being announced. So what happens with all this? This is the question for them at the political level to decide.

In response to the US withdrawal and sanctions, Iran has broken the JCPOA’s limit on stock of 3.67% uranium, with 12 times the amount set by the agreement. It has extended enrichment to 4.5% and installed advanced uranium centrifuges.

However, it has not resumed the production of 20% uranium, which can potentially be further enhanced to a military grade of more than 90%.

President-elect Biden has said the US will rejoin the deal “if Iran resumes strict compliance”.

The European countries in the deal — the UK, France, and Germany — have indicated that they would like discussions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and an extension of the terminal dates in the JCPOA.

Asked if that meant there must be a “deal within the deal”, Grossi said: “Oh yes, oh yes. Undoubtedly. It is clear that there will have to be a protocol or an agreement or an understanding or some ancillary document which will stipulate clearly what we do.”