Iran is unable to completely halt co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday.
Araghchi’s comments came amid continuing tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
According to the head of Iranian diplomacy, even despite the differences and pressure, Iran needs to maintain co-operation with the international nuclear regulator. “The IAEA is an international body, and we cannot completely sever relations with it,” Araghchi stressed.
These statements came amid mounting pressure from European countries, which accuse Tehran of violating its commitments under the nuclear deal and expanding its uranium enrichment programme. The United States and its allies are demanding that Iran co-operate more transparently with the agency, while Iranian authorities accuse the US and the EU of politicising the IAEA and using its instruments to serve Washington’s interests.
Tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme have escalated again after it became known that the country had made significant progress in uranium enrichment. This is causing concern in the international community, which fears that Iran may be moving closer to developing nuclear weapons, despite Tehran’s claims that its programme is peaceful.
Araghchi stressed that Iran, despite all the difficulties, will continue its dialogue with the IAEA, while defending its right to develop peaceful nuclear energy.
