Iran hails scientific IAEA inspections

Iran will not object to changes in the system of IAEA inspections as long as they do not threaten the country’s national security, says Iran’s envoy to the UN agency.

Ali Asghar Soltanieh said any changes in the system of inspections carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency should be based on the agency’s safeguards and inspection agreements signed by member states.

“Any move which crosses the red line of the country’s national security is not acceptable and member states will not let the agency go beyond the members’ obligations,” IRNA quoted Soltanieh as saying on the sidelines of an IAEA conference in Vienna.

The Iranian envoy also said Tehran is not against the use of the latest technologies in IAEA inspections since it highlights the “scientific” aspect of inspections, which has been overshadowed by “political” issues.

“Such an approach…will reduce tension caused by political issues since scientific facts will be the base for passing judgments,” he added.

Soltanieh further criticized the “politicization” of Iran’s nuclear issue, saying Iran’s nuclear dossier would have been sent out of the UN Security Council a long time ago if it was not for political issues.

Iran barred two IAEA inspectors from entering the country in June, saying they had leaked information to the media before the official issuance of the agency’s report on Iran’s nuclear program.

In its latest report in September, the IAEA said Iran’s decision was “hampering” the efforts of agency inspectors visiting Iranian nuclear facilities.

However, the report reiterated for the 22nd time that the nuclear material in the country is under the agency’s supervision and are sealed and observed by its security cameras and observers.