Iran resolved to boost lasting cooperation with IAEA: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has stressed the importance of maintaining the independence and impartiality of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying that Iran seeks to boost long-term cooperation with the agency.

“Our determination is to have long-term cooperation with the agency within the framework of international regulations,” Rouhani said in a meeting with the IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano in Tehran on Sunday.

“We hope that given Iran’s full cooperation in recent years, the agency would declare its final conclusion about the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program as soon as possible,” the Iranian president added.

Iran expects that the UN nuclear agency, in line with its measures and duties, would provide Tehran with the same technical assistance it gives other countries that are committed to the IAEA Safeguards Agreement and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Rouhani said.

Rouhani also emphasized the significance of showing respect for international regulations and treaties, saying Iran had repeatedly announced that it would not be the first country to walk away from the landmark nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries more than two years ago.

“We will remain committed to the JCPOA as long as we are able to enjoy the benefits mentioned in it,” the Iranian president said.

As an important international body, the IAEA’s credibility depends on the world body’s ability to carry out its “professional and technical activities” without being influenced by world powers, he added.

“It is not acceptable for us that some countries and their officials would want to influence the agency’s decisions and exert pressure [on it],” the Iranian chief executive pointed out.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany signed the nuclear agreement on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.

Speaking at a news conference in New York on August 25, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called on the IAEA to request access to Iranian military sites in what is regarded as an attempt by Washington to undermine the JCPOA, which is a multilateral nuclear deal.

US President Donald Trump delivered an anti-Iran speech on October 13, in which he said he would not be certifying Iran’s compliance with the terms of the JCPOA under a domestic American law and warned that he might ultimately terminate the agreement.

The US Congress now has less than 60 days to decide whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under the nuclear accord.

The IAEA is the only official institution in charge of verifying Iranian compliance and it has repeatedly verified Iran’s adherence to its contractual obligations.

During his meeting with Rouhani, the IAEA head, for his part, said the Islamic Republic had fulfilled all its commitments under international regulations and the JCPOA.

Amano added that most prominent officials of different world countries had thrown their weight behind the JCPOA, saying that all parties’ compliance with the nuclear accord would play a leading role in its survival and maintenance.

Iran adhering to its commitments under JCPOA

Also in a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Amano reaffirmed the Islamic Republic’s adherence to its commitments under the JCPOA.

Zarif and Amno emphasized that all parties to the nuclear deal must remain committed to it.

Amano is in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials as part of the regular dialog between the two sides.

According to the IAEA, discussions were expected to focus on the verification and monitoring of the implementation of the JCPOA.

Earlier on Sunday, the IAEA chief held talks and attended a joint press conference with Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi.