UK, France, Germany Chide Iran for “Undermining” IAEA Monitoring
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The United Kingdom, France, and Germany released a strongly worded statement claiming IAEA’s monitoring tasks in Iran had been “undermined" following Tehran’s suspension of some inspections of its nuclear activities.
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Talks on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal will resume on Nov. 29.
The United Kingdom, France, and Germany have claimed that Iran is "undermining" the International Atomic Energy Agency's ability to monitor its nuclear activity.
In a joint statement, the three countries urged Iran to immediately restore the IAEA's access to the Karaj facility, according to the UK Foreign Office.
"We call upon Iran to urgently restore IAEA access to Karaj, in order to verify whether production of centrifuge rotor tubes and bellows has resumed and to install replacement cameras. It is essential that Iran returns to full implementation of JCPOA-related IAEA monitoring arrangements, including its application of the Additional Protocol, as soon as possible," the statement said.
Despite their objection, the three countries affirmed their confidence in implementing an understanding on a mutual return to compliance with the JCPOA.
Grossi: IAEA seeks "common ground" with Iran
On his account, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi has lately confirmed that the agency was seeking "common ground" with Iran.
In a joint press conference with the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, Grossi announced that "work has been intense since the morning."
"We are multiplying our efforts with a view to conclude our exchanges today," he added.
Grossi's remarks came after talks with officials in Tehran ahead of the November 29 negotiations aimed at resuming the 2015 Vienna talks.
His visit comes after the IAEA said Iran had increased its stockpile of highly-enriched uranium.
For his part, Eslami said that Grossi has "repeatedly stated today that he has not seen any deviations in Iran's nuclear program and that Iran is pursuing its nuclear activities in accordance with treaties and regulations."
The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran stressed that his country is "determined in its nuclear program" and the IAEA will help Iran in this regard.
Iran eyes lifting sanctions on its people
Furthermore, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani had confirmed that the Iranian negotiating team's main focus is to lift the "unlawful and unjust" sanctions imposed on the Iranian people.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh has recently stated that Iran-IAEA relations "have always tried to be technical and within the framework of safeguards and procedures of the Agency."
Khatibzadeh pointed out that the IAEA is "well aware that all the acts of sabotage committed by the Zionist regime against Iran, which has been accompanied by the silence of some countries, have had a significant impact on some technical aspects."
Talks on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal will resume on Nov. 29.
