Iran Urges IAEA to Continue Evenhanded Approach
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi insisted that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should remain neutral and professional in its verification practices regarding Tehran’s nuclear activities.
Salehi had a meeting with IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano in Vienna on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology.
In the gathering, the two officials discussed the latest developments surrounding Iran-IAEA cooperation, including the UN agency’s verification of Iran’s commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Hailing the IAEA’s reports that confirm Iran’s compliance with its JCPOA commitments, Salehi said Tehran expects the UN watchdog to keep doing its verification practices in a neutral and professional manner and avoid coming under the influence of those seeking to disrupt Iran-IAEA constructive relations.
For his part, Amano emphasized that his agency has always observed the rules of professional, unbiased and independent activities, stressing that the IAEA notices the facts, not the claims, when it comes to verification.
The Japanese IAEA chief also expressed satisfaction with the status of cooperation with Iran, saying the agency’s principal policy is to keep to the current path.
The IAEA is responsible for monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities as per the nuclear deal and should also help Iran develop its nuclear energy program.
On May 8, US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the JCPOA, which was achieved in Vienna in 2015 after years of negotiations among Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Since the historic deal was signed in Vienna, the IAEA has confirmed the Islamic Republic’s compliance with its commitments in 13 successive reports.
