Non-diversion basis of IAEA report

The main point of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) report on Iran’s nuclear activities is the verification of its non-diversion nature, Tehran’s nuclear chief says.

“Like the previous [IAEA’s] reports, the new report reiterates the non-diversion of declared nuclear material …. Therefore, we believe that the other issues mentioned in the report are minor,” Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi told ISNA on Monday.

On IAEA’s claim about Iran’s denial of inspecting its heavy water plant, Salehi argued that such an inspection is not within the framework of the Safeguards Agreement between Iran and the nuclear watchdog.

“The IAEA should tell us that by which clause of the mutual agreement can it inspect the heavy water facilities. We have not found such a clause … if they prove it, I will immediately allow inspectors to visit [the plant],” he went on to say.

Referring to IAEA’s request from Iran to inform the agency of building 10 new enrichment sites, Salehi noted that based on the old version of Code 3.1 of the Subsidiary Arrangements, Iran is not bound to submit that information.

Based on the regulations, the Islamic Republic will inform the agency 180 days before transferring nuclear materials to the site, he further explained.

Salehi also called on the IAEA to maintain an impartial position, saying “due to political coercions, minor issues are highlighted while the main points of the report which insist that Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful have become overshadowed.”

IAEA’s reporting approach has changed negatively over the past year, while Iran has fulfilled its commitments more than before and, even in some cases, Tehran cooperated with the agency beyond its obligations in order to build trust, Salehi went on to say.

On May 17, Iran, Turkey and Brazil issued a declaration based on which Tehran agreed to exchange the bulk of its low-enriched uranium on Turkish soil with fuel for the Tehran research reactor.

The US and its European allies snubbed the declaration and used their influence on the UN Security Council to press for fresh sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Both Ankara and Brasilia condemned the new sanctions, saying it was a major setback in resolving the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program.

Following the UNSC resolution, the US and EU also imposed additional unilateral sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program, targeting the country’s energy and financial sectors.

Iran has criticized the UNSC sanctions arguing that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and an IAEA member it has every right to pursue and benefit from nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.