Iran warns IAEA against political aims

Iran’s Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Asghar Soltanieh has categorically dismissed unfounded IAEA allegations against Tehran, cautioning the regulatory body against any political aims.

“The latest IAEA report (about Iran’s nuclear program) contained previously repeated and tedious issues, including baseless allegations against certain activities under the pretext of diversion to military objectives,” Soltanieh told IRNA.

“Lack of firm documentation or proof [on such allegations] will undoubtedly undermine the scientific and professional reputation of the IAEA for its involvement in politically-motivated accusations,” he added.

The latest IAEA report verified that the Islamic Republic is successfully carrying out its nuclear activities, including enrichment, without any interruption under the agency’s surveillance, the Iranian diplomat emphasized.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano released the latest report about Iran’s nuclear activities on Tuesday, reaffirming that despite constant inspection of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities over the past eight years, there has been no diversion in the country’s nuclear operations towards any military objectives.

The new nine-page report was circulated to IAEA member states ahead of a Board of Governors meeting next month.

On June 9, 2010 the UN Security Council passed a resolution imposing a fourth round of sanctions on Iran over unverified allegations that the country is pursuing a military nuclear program.

Iran has rejected the allegations, saying that as a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency and a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it has every right to enrich uranium to produce fuel.

The IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities but has never found any evidence showing that Iran’s civilian nuclear program has been diverted to nuclear weapons production.