Iran decries UNSC nuclear meddling

As the UN Security Council gets ready to vote on a US-sponsored resolution for new anti-Iran sanctions, Tehran’s IAEA ambassador warns about the consequences of the new punitive measures.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Iran’s Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Asghar Soltanieh said the imposition of new sanctions against Iran would disturb the constructive atmosphere recently created over Iran’s nuclear program.

“Any move at the Security Council will affect the positive atmosphere made after the issuance of the Tehran declaration which provides an opportunity for diplomacy and cooperation,” Soltanieh said.

The Iranian envoy went on to call on the international community to return to the negotiating table in order to implement a long-standing project for the supply of fuel to the Tehran Research Reactor.

“We recommend them to take lessons from the past and put an end to such unconstructive and unlawful measures and stop the UNSC interference in affairs solely related to the IAEA,” Soltanieh said.

Based on the declaration issued by Iran, Turkey and Brazil, Tehran is willing to send some 1,200 kg of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for a total of 120 kg of higher enriched uranium for use at the Tehran Research Reactor.

The declaration was welcomed by independent states and international organizations, including the Non-Aligned Movement (Non-Aligned Movement).

Meanwhile, Soltanieh called on the West to seize the ideal opportunity provided by the Tehran declaration.

He went on to warn against fresh sanctions against Iran, arguing that any punitive measure would prompt a reaction from the Iranian side.