Iran is committed to diplomacy to resolve differences with IAEA: Kan’ani

The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry says Tehran is committed to diplomacy and will keep cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in order to resolve the remaining issues over Tehran’s civilian nuclear activities.

Iran remains committed to negotiations and diplomacy, as it strongly believes that it can achieve tangible and practical results under such a framework, Nasser Kan’ani said at a weekly press briefing in the capital Tehran on Monday.

He emphasized that Iran holds a deep-seated belief in multilateral diplomacy and has been engaged in the Vienna talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), on that basis.

The diplomat noted that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s latest trip to Tehran was in line with Iran’s active diplomacy with the UN nuclear agency and yielded encouraging results.

He expressed hope that the trend of cooperation between Iran and the IAEA would result in the resolution of issues pertaining to the Safeguards Agreement in a technical manner and would eliminate any chance for those who consider the matter as an obstacle on the path of returning to diplomacy. 

“Iran has utilized all recognized rights and has explored available political and legal channels, as well as international regulations. Protection of Iran’s nuclear capabilities and capacities has been carried out in light of such measures,” Kan’ani said.

He pointed out that Iran has frequently drawn on Resolution GC(XXXIV)/RES/533 of September 21, 1990, which states “An armed attack or a threat of armed attack on a safeguarded nuclear facility, in operation or under construction, would create a situation in which the United Nations Security Council would have to act immediately in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter,” throughout meetings and official correspondence with the IAEA. 

Kan’ani further explained that Iran has time and again emphasized its rights in line with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) when it comes to cooperation with the UN nuclear agency.

Iran and the IAEA have agreed to take steps aimed at facilitating enhanced cooperation and expediting the resolution of outstanding safeguards issues. 

SS