Iran Urges IAEA’s Verification Activities in Saudi Arabia
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian deputy foreign minister complained about Saudi Arabia’s non-transparent nuclear practices, calling on the IAEA to carry out verification activities in the kingdom.
Deputy Foreign Minister for International and Legal Affairs Mohsen Baharvand held a meeting with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi on the sidelines of an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna.
The Iranian diplomat said while all IAEA Member States are entitled to enjoy nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, the situation in Saudi Arabia, its non-transparent activities, and its refusal to allow IAEA inspectors entry are a source of concern.
The IAEA must be able to practice verification activities in Saudi Arabia, he added.
Baharvand also highlighted Iran’s close cooperation with the UN nuclear agency, stressing that the IAEA should not be influenced by political pressures from certain countries that are aimed at disrupting the interaction between the IAEA and Tehran.
Cooperation in a constructive atmosphere without the influence of third parties would benefit both sides, the Iranian deputy minister told Grossi.
The IAEA chief, for his part, described Iran as a major partner of the UN nuclear agency and hailed the country’s positive cooperation and the level of verification activities inside Iran.
Grossi visited Iran in late August. At the conclusion of the two-day trip, Iran and the UN agency issued a joint statement on agreements and the results of high-level talks between the two sides.
Iran has agreed to voluntarily grant the IAEA access to two sites specified by the agency.