Iran: IAEA inspectors flouted law

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors acted against their regulations by contributing to “unreal” reports.

“If an [IAEA] inspector violates his duties, the agency’s Articles of Association allow for the termination of his inspections,” IRIB quoted President Ahmadinejad as saying in an interview with ABC News, which is to be fully aired on Sunday.

The Iranian chief executive made the comments in reference to Iran’s decision to change the list of IAEA inspectors and demand replacements for two of the inspectors who presented “false” details of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear activities.

President Ahmadinejad further explained that the IAEA has not adhered to its guidelines concerning Iran’s nuclear case and resorted to ‘generalizations’ and ‘undocumented’ talks.

He also pointed out that the case of inspectors has further politicized Iran’s nuclear program and undermined the UN atomic agency’s credibility.

The Iranian chief executive, however, underlined that despite the IAEA conduct, Tehran will continue to respect the UN body’s guidelines.

He also criticized the agency’s inspection standards for different countries and said, “Many countries including the US have non-peaceful nuclear activities but no reports ever come out concerning their operations.”

Asked about the case of an Iranian woman convicted of adultery and murder, Ahmadinejad slammed Western media for what he called false reports and noted Sakineh Ashtiani had never been handed a stoning sentence and that her case is currently being reviewed by the Iranian Judiciary.

The Iranian president also demanded that the US free a number of Iranians “illegally arrested and detained” in America and some other countries at Washington’s request.

According to Iranian media, at least eight Iranians are held in US detention over indeterminate charges.

He also criticized the US for its claims of upholding human rights while killing hundreds of thousands of people in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The US television network carried out the interview with President Ahmadinejad upon his arrival in the United States for the 65th United Nations General Assembly session in New York City.