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VIENNA: UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi condemned Iran’s “disproportionate and unprecedented” move to bar multiple inspectors assigned to the country, hindering its oversight of atomic activities.
Iran’s move is a response to a call led by the United States, Britain, France and Germany at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors this week for Tehran to cooperate immediately with the IAEA on issues including explaining uranium traces found at undeclared sites.
Grossi made clear that he believed Iran had overreacted. “I strongly condemn this disproportionate and unprecedented unilateral measure which affects the normal planning and conduct of agency verification activities in Iran and openly contradicts the cooperation that should exist between the agency and Iran,” he said in a statement.
Iran’s move, known as “de-designation” of inspectors, is allowed as member states can generally veto inspectors assigned to visit their nuclear facilities under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and each country’s safeguards agreement with the agency governing inspections.
The IAEA said Tehran’s decision went beyond normal practice. It said Iran had told it that it would bar “several” inspectors, without giving a number.
“These inspectors are among the most experienced agency experts with unique knowledge in enrichment technology,” the agency said. “With today’s decision, Iran has effectively removed about one third of the core group of the Agency’s most experienced inspectors designated for Iran.”
Iran defended its move and accused the United States, Britain, France and Germany of politicising the IAEA watchdog.
“Unfortunately, despite Iran’s positive, constructive and continuous interaction of the with the agency, the three European countries and the United States abused the (IAEA’s) Board of Governors for their own political purposes,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani told state media.
“Of course, Iran will continue its positive cooperation within the framework of the agreements that have been made, and emphasise the necessity of the agency’s neutrality,” he added.
READ MORE: IAEA warns that Iran not forthcoming on past nuclear activities
A Vienna-based diplomat told a news agency that Iran has de-designated all the French and German members of the IAEA inspection team. There were already no US or British members.
“This measure, while formally permitted by the NPT Safeguards Agreement, has been exercised by Iran in a manner that affects in a direct and severe way the ability of the IAEA to conduct effectively its inspections in Iran,” the IAEA said.
Grossi called upon the Iranian government to reconsider its decision and to return to a path of cooperation with the agency.
