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It is unclear how much latitude Iran's new president will have in shaping Tehran’s relations with the West after he takes office in August. It is unlikely that the country’s nuclear policy, which is determined by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will shift significantly from its current trajectory.
The IAEA reports a small decrease in Iran’s 60 percent uranium stockpile, but no progress on the safeguards investigation. In the meantime, the annual U.S. Worldwide Threat Assessment, released after a Congressional hearing March 11, assesses that Iran is not engaged in weaponization activities.
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi called for diplomacy with Tehran after the agency reported that Iran increased its production of uranium enriched to near weapons grade. Grossi also criticized Iran for restricting cooperation with the agency.
There are growing concerns about Iran's continued enrichment and new nuclear facilities as well as possible missile sales to Russia.
The United States and Iran took steps to de-escalate tensions over the past few weeks, but it is unclear if the progress will lead to a resumption of talks over Iran’s advancing nuclear program. Meanwhile, the E3 will keep in place certain sanctions on Iran and the IAEA states current safeguards issues remain unresolved.