Russia: IAEA Iran report unprofessional

Russia has criticized the release of the latest IAEA report by the UN nuclear chief as unprofessional and premature, lauding Iran’s efforts to ease concerns over its nuclear program.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano submitted his latest report on Iran’s nuclear program to the IAEA Board of Governors on November 8, ahead of the board’s meeting on November 17-18.

In his report, Amano claimed, despite lack of any proof, that Iran had engaged in activities related to developing nuclear weapons prior to 2003, adding that such activities “may still be ongoing.”

“Neither this decision [to publish the report], nor the contents of the report can be regarded as professional,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday, ITAR-TASS news agency reported.

Based on the report, which Iran has called “unfounded and unbalanced,” the IAEA Board of Governors on Friday passed a new resolution, voicing “deep and increasing concern” over Tehran’s nuclear program.

“Of late the Iranian side exerted additional efforts aimed at promoting the dialogue with the agency in the interests of lifting the existing concerns,” the Foreign Ministry said. “We welcome these steps, and it is important they were reflected in the aforesaid resolution of the Board of Governors,” the statement read.

The statement added that Moscow confirms “the commitment to the principles of gradualism and reciprocity in progress towards resolving problems over the Iranian nuclear program.”