Soltanieh : ‘Access to Parchin contingent on pact that addresses mutual concerns’

Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran will agree to a request by the agency to visit the country’s Parchin site only if a framework that addresses the concerns of both parties is established.

Gaining access to Parchin may only be arranged after holding negotiations and agreeing on a “specific framework,” Ali Asghar Soltanieh told ISNA on Sunday.

In response to a question on why Iran refused the IAEA inspectors access to Parchin, Soltanieh clarified that the agency’s request to visit the site does not fall within Iran’s legal obligations with respect to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The Iranian envoy also cautioned Western and Arab countries against making remarks that would undermine Iran’s ongoing cooperation with the IAEA.

“The agency must be allowed to continue its activities in a professional and impartial manner and without political motivations, since Iran intends to continue its talks with the agency in efforts to resolve IAEA’s concerns,” Soltanieh said.

He added that the latest IAEA report on Iran clearly demonstrates that all nuclear activities by Iran, particularly its enrichment efforts, remain entirely under the agency’s supervision.

The IAEA released its latest report on Iran on February 24, according to which the Islamic Republic has significantly expanded its enrichment activities at plants near the central city of Natanz as well as the Fordow facility.

The United States, the Zionist Occupation Israeli regime and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Tehran of pursuing military objectives in its nuclear program, using the false pretext to impose and push for sanctions against Iran and threaten the country with military action.

Iran has rejected the allegations, arguing that as a committed signatory to the NPT and a member of the IAEA, it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful use.

Meanwhile, The Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei reiterated last Wednesday that Iran has never sought and will never seek nuclear weapons and considers the possession of such arms as a great sin, useless and destructive.