Iran criticizes IAEA for neglect of duties

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has criticized the UN nuclear watchdog for failing to carry out its responsibilities to transfer know-how and technology to its member states.

“Although the Islamic Republic has remained committed to its obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the agency does not fulfill its duties about supplying fuel needed for the Tehran research reactor,” Larijani said in Tokyo on Wednesday.

“Based on terms of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the IAEA has no right to urge Iran to suspend its nuclear activities,” he told Japan’s House of Councilors President Satsuki Eda.

Iran, a signatory to the NPT, says its nuclear program is directed at the civilian applications of the technology. However, the West accuses the country of conducting a covert military nuclear program.

The Iranian parliament speaker reiterated that the country’s nuclear activities have always pursued peaceful purposes.