On Saturday September 16, Iran notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the removal of the accreditation of several of its inspectors responsible for monitoring the Iranian nuclear program. A decision “ without precedentt” which causes great concern within the UN institution.
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The European Union called on Iran to reverse its decision to remove the accreditation of several inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) this Sunday, September 17. These members of the IAEA, who were notified of the Iranian decision on Saturday, are responsible for controlling the country’s nuclear program.
“ EU urges Iran to review decision without delay “, thundered, laconic, a spokesperson for the Twenty-Seven. Brussels, which plays the role of coordinator under the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, known by the acronym JCPOA, is “ very worried “, he added. “ The direct and severe impact of this decision on the agency’s ability to conduct its verification activities, which includes monitoring » of the JCPOA « is particularly worrying “, he said.
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West-Iran relations strained
The UN nuclear agency, for its part, condemned a gesture “ unprecedented “. With this measure, Iran excludes people whose “ the expertise required to carry out inspections in complex facilities ” need ” years of training », lamented Rafael Grossi, the director general of the IAEA, at the microphone of RFI.
“ The Iranian government has targeted its communication at the most experienced inspectors. And so it’s a serious cost “, he measured. Before continuing: “ Although this is authorized in the regulations, because each country can refuse or accept the presence of a particular individual, this is a completely disproportionate measure. It clearly and concretely affects the verification mission »
According to Iranian media and a Western diplomat, eight inspectors are involved, all French or German. The Islamic Republic explained that it had taken this measure in response to the warning launched this week by the United States and the European countries of the E3 group (France, Germany and the United Kingdom), during the Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, headquarters of the IAEA. In front of ” Iran’s deliberate refusal to collaborate with the Agency “, the quartet then brandished the threat of a new resolution, if Tehran ” does not implement essential and urgent actions » required.
I am surprised, because the Iranian government continues to proclaim its willingness to cooperate with us.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, plans to discuss at the UN General Assembly with Iranian officials
Upcoming sanctions?
For now, Western powers have stuck to a joint declaration supported by around sixty countries, urging Iran to “ act immediately »to resolve disputes with the IAEA. A position deemed unacceptable by the Iranian government. E3 and Washington « abused Council space for purely political purposes “, accused the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanani, insisting on “ the need for the neutrality of the Agency “.
Iran has gradually freed itself from the commitments made under the 2015 agreement, in reaction to the withdrawal of the United States decided in 2018 by President Donald Trump. This pact was supposed to limit Iran’s atomic activities in exchange for a lifting of international sanctions. Discussions held in Vienna by the various stakeholders to revive it failed last year.
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(And with AFP)