IAEA should observe principles of impartiality, professionalism: Zarif

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the UN nuclear agency should observe the principles of impartiality and professionalism in its dealings with the Islamic Republic.

According to Press TV, Zarif made the remarks in a Tuesday meeting with Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi, who is on his first visit to Tehran since taking office in December 2019.

“The Islamic Republic seeks continued cooperation with the Agency under normal circumstances and within the framework of international regulations,” the top Iranian diplomat said.

He added that Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA has always been based on international commitments and within technical and professional frameworks.

“As the IAEA has verified numerous times, Iran has cooperated the most [among all countries] with the Agency with regards to the safeguards, and this path can be followed,” Zarif added.

The FM expressed hope that both sides would continue cooperation in good faith and based the safeguards’ regulations by resolving the existing disagreements based on mutual trust.

The IAEA chief, for his part, said the agency fulfills its duties in accordance with the principles of neutrality and professionalism.

Grossi noted that past Iran-IAEA cooperation had been beneficial to both sides, saying the trend could continue after overcoming the existing problems.

SS