IAEA’s Demands beyond Legal Framework Out of Question: Iran’s Nuclear Chief
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The interaction between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency has a definite legal basis, thus any request inconsistent with the NPT or the Safeguards Agreement would fall outside the purview of the UN nuclear agency, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Mohammad Eslami commented on the IAEA Board of Governors’ recent resolution on Iran and the UN nuclear agency’s obligation to monitor Tehran’s nuclear activities.
“The relations between Iran and the Agency (IAEA) has a legal basis, which is the Safeguards Agreement and the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty),” Eslami said, noting that the UN nuclear agency is bound to supervise, support and encourage Iran’s nuclear activities within that framework.
He underlined that the IAEA’s requests must be made within the framework of cooperation with Iran. “There is not any other subject that the Agency may intend to pursue.”
On June 5, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution during its 1723rd session, emphasizing the essential and independent role of the IAEA in verifying Iran’s compliance with its NPT-required safeguards obligations.
The resolution also stressed the importance of Iran’s compliance with its safeguards obligations and the need for Iran to cooperate fully and in a timely manner with the Agency with a view to clarifying and resolving the outstanding safeguards issues.
Last month, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed the country’s determination to resolve differences with the IAEA.
Asked about the installation of new cameras by the IAEA at Iran’s nuclear sites, Nasser Kanaani said, “Iran’s serious policy is the settlement of problems with the (IAEA).”
Based on this policy, he added, Iran is determined to prevent issues relating to its peaceful nuclear activities from becoming a process for confrontation with the IAEA.