Khatibzadeh: Israeli pressure has altered IAEA’s report
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The Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson discusses the latest developments in the nuclear talks.
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Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh
The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, Saeed Khatibzadeh, said on Tuesday that the US has failed to provide Iran with the answers it is awaiting up to now.
Khatibzadeh noted that the halt in the Vienna Talks is due to the other sides waiting for the US' reply, and stressed that a deal can be reached whenever the US makes a decision to do so.
Regarding statements made by the US special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, regarding a deal, wherein he said that the probability of reaching a deal is very slim, Khatibzadeh clarified that these statements were directed toward the US, and that he has no comment on them, reiterating that what concerns Iran is what is exchanged through official channels between Tehran and Washington.
As for Western statements on the nuclear talks, the spokesperson said that Iran is currently negotiating with the US on issues related to Iran's economic interests and ending all policies of the maximum pressure campaign.
He further added that "Israel" and some media outlets are attempting to focus the spotlight on the removal of the IRGC from the terror list, but Iran's reply, he said, is clear, "What is important to us is that the interests of the Iranian people are fulfilled, and that we receive guarantees regarding individuals and Iran's economic cycle."
Iran to strengthen relations with neighboring countries
With regards to Tehran's diplomatic movements, Khatibzadeh said that Iran is mainly aiming for strengthening its diplomatic relations with neighboring countries.
During Raisi's visit to Oman, a number of bilateral agreements were signed in a number of economic and trade fields, the spokesperson said, noting that Raisi's visit to Oman opened up a new chapter of relations between both countries based on constructive cooperation.
Concerning talks with Saudi Arabia, Khatibzadeh said that the sixth round of Iran-Saudi talks has not been scheduled yet. The 5th round of talks had been "positive", according to a statement by Khatibzadeh in late April.
Iran advises Greece to follow up on tanker away from media spotlight
As for Iran's seizure of two Greek oil tankers, Khatibzadeh said that it was only natural that Iran would stop any ship violating international maritime laws, advising Greece to follow up on the matter through courts, away from media spotlight.
Iran is also pursuing the matter of the seizure of its tanker with Greece, "but it seems Greece is listening to a third party in this issue," Khatibzadeh said.
Commenting on statements by US State Secretary Antony Blinken, who condemned the "unjustified seizure" of the two Greek-flagged vessels, according to the US State Department - just after ordering the hijacking of an Iranian tanker, stealing its oil.
Khatibzadeh said the US was "escaping forward", and that Washington as made the dollar a weapon through which it interferes with all peoples, stressing that it is time for the US to realize that the people of the world and independent countries will retaliate against the US' illegal measures.
IAEA report unfair, unbalanced
The IAEA’s recent report claiming that Iran hasn't submitted answers to its questions didn’t reflect the truth about the talks between Iran and the Agency, the spokesperson said.
After the agreement was reached between Iran and the IAEA in Tehran, Khatibzadeh noted, Iran provided the IAEA with written answers to its questions.
He also said that the nuclear watchdog’s report, which was released Monday, was the same report its Director-General Rafael Grossi hastily presented in the European parliament, and was concluded before the Iran-IAEA meeting in Tehran.
The report is neither fair nor balanced and the Israeli pressure has deviated the IAEA’s reporting from technical to political, Khatibzadeh declared, calling on the IAEA to exercise maximum care not to deviate from the technical path and its charters. Khatibzadeh warned that the Zionist regime is interfering in the talks by spying on the IAEA whenever a breakthrough is made or an agreement is nearly available.
