IAEA should not be politically swayed

Senior Iranian lawmaker Kazem Jalali says the political approach of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should not overcome its legal one.

“It is expected of the agency to safeguard its legal status,” the spokesman for the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Pointing to IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano’s new report on Iran’s peaceful nuclear work, Jalali advised the UN body against being swayed by political pressure as it would lead to a negative view of international organizations among world nations.

He added that Iran’s decision to expel two IAEA inspectors was legal and in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

“Under the NPT, inspectors are introduced by the agency, and the host country can accept or refuse to accept them,” IRNA quoted Jalai as saying.

He added that the refusal to accept inspectors does not mean Iran is blocking inspections.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has in principle accepted the inspection of its nuclear facilities. However, if inspectors commit acts of espionage, betray [Tehran’s] trust or violate [Iran’s] right to national sovereignty and overstep their authority when conducting inspections, Iran can refuse to accept that inspector, or expel him,” the parliamentary spokesman said.