The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Sunday called on Iran to “immediately” resume talks to avoid a major crisis that “complicates” the maintenance of an agreement on its nuclear program.
Following the passage of a resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors criticizing non-cooperation, Tehran announced this week that it would close “27 cameras” that would allow international inspectors to monitor its nuclear activities.
“As I speak to you, the work is done, these cameras as well as other online surveillance systems have been removed,” Rafael Grossi, the agency’s director general, told Cyanan. He reiterated that this was “very, very dangerous.”
“Modern history teaches us that it is never a good idea to tell international inspectors: ‘Go home,’ he warned. “Everything usually goes wrong when we go this route.”
He called on Iranian leaders to “return to the negotiating table immediately.”
“The situation must be addressed and we must continue to work together,” he said, adding that “the only way for Iran to gain the confidence it desperately needs to thrive on its economy” is to “allow an international presence.” “Atomic Energy Agency inspectors.”
Grossi explained that without these cameras, the IAEA would not be able to determine in the near future whether Iran’s nuclear program was still “peaceful”; in other words, no one could guarantee that Iran was not building an atomic bomb.
He added that even if the Iranians reconnect the cameras within a few months, what they have done during that time will remain confidential and potentially nullify any agreement on their activities.
The escalation comes as major powers seek to salvage a 2015 agreement with Iran over its nuclear program, which allowed sanctions to be lifted in exchange for restricting its activities and ensuring peace.
Grossi warned: “With these decisions, it will be more difficult to revive the agreement.”
The United States pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 during its previous presidency, Donald Trump, and re-imposed economic sanctions on Tehran. A year later, Iran began to respond to many of its key commitments, especially the level of uranium enrichment.
US President Joe Biden has confirmed that he is ready to return to the agreement, provided that Iran returns to its commitments. But negotiations are faltering and failing more than ever.
In a statement issued Sunday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and stressed that diplomacy must be “won to return to full implementation” of the agreement.
Source: Lebanon Debate
