IAEA Chief Visit to Iran Unrelated to Snapback Mechanism: Zarif
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the IAEA director general’s Monday visit to Tehran has nothing to do with the snapback mechanism in the 2015 nuclear deal.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Zarif said the visit by Rafael Mariano Grossi to Iran later today has nothing to do with the snapback mechanism, which he described as a wrong expression popularized by the American officials.
The foreign minister also highlighted Iran’s transparent cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, reiterating that Tehran would never seek nuclear weapons and believes that nukes are detrimental to the country on the basis of its beliefs and strategic considerations.
Iran will not allow the parties that disagree with the IAEA and threaten world security with their nukes, namely the US and the Zionist regime, to mock the IAEA’s goals, Zarif underlined.
Grossi will travel to Tehran on Monday for the first time after taking office in December.
During his discussions in Tehran, Grossi will address the cooperation of Iran with the IAEA, and in particular Iran’s provision of access to the Agency’s inspectors to requested locations.
“I have decided to come personally to Tehran so that I can reinforce the importance of cooperation and the full implementation of all safeguards commitments and obligations with the IAEA,” Grossi has said.
The Islamic Republic rejects any allegations of non-cooperation with the IAEA, insisting that it is prepared to resolve potentially outstanding differences with the IAEA.