Khatibzadeh: IAEA resolution planned, politically motivated
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Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson says the anti-Iran resolution issued at the IAEA BoG was politically motivated.
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Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh
Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said at the ministry's weekly press conference on Monday that the IAEA's adoption of a resolution that accuses Iran of not cooperating with it has disrupted the path of cooperation between Tehran and the agency.
Khatibzadeh pointed out a joint statement between Iran and the IAEA issued on March 6, and said that comparing this statement with the recent statements made by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, it's clear that Grossi has changed his opinion.
"Certainly, we could not leave this non-technical political action unanswered. Our actions were decisive and proportionate," he added.
This comes after the IAEA's Board of Governors adopted on June 8 a draft resolution submitted by the US, France, UK, and Germany, criticizing Iran for what they claim were incomplete answers given to the IAEA on uranium traces at "undeclared sites". These claims were quickly refuted by the Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, who said that Iran has neither secret or unwritten nuclear activities nor unreported nuclear sites.
Grossi's visit to "Israel"
Khatibzadeh also referred to Grossi's trip to "Israel" ahead of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting, saying it was unfortunate that someone like the IAEA Director-General would allow "Israel" to misuse the agency's structure.
"I think the message of the trip is as clear as any other non-diplomatic move," he said, adding, "The director-general should be concerned about impartiality and independence. According to the statute of the agency, he had a definite duty and met the wrong people at the wrong time and place."
Furthermore, Khatibzadeh referred to an interview made by Grossi with a media outlet yesterday, wherein he made certain comments about Iran's economy. The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson asserted that Grossi should reconsider his statements and take care not to make declarations beyond his duties.
Instead of focusing on Iran, which has merely stopped surveillance cameras beyond the Safeguards Agreement, the diplomat said the IAEA should focus on parties that are not members of the NPT, hinting at "Israel".
In the near future, Iran is set to host the President and Parliament Speaker of Turkmenistan, and Russia's Foreign Minister, while the Pakistani FM will visit Tehran tomorrow.
Iran's Foreign Minister is scheduled to pay a visit to the African continent in the future.
