Iran says serious to clarify misunderstandings with IAEA

Iran has expressed determination to clarify misunderstandings with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying the issues related to the country’s peaceful nuclear program should not be turned into an obstacle.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kan’ani made the remarks during a weekly press briefing in Tehran on Monday, days after IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said Tehran had agreed to the re-installation of cameras and other monitoring equipment at its nuclear facilities.

“Iran’s serious policy is to settle problems and misunderstandings with the IAEA,” Kan’ani said in response to a question on the re-installation of cameras belonging to the UN nuclear watchdog.

“The policy is to ensure that the issues related to Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities do not turn into an obstacle.”

Iran and the IAEA are currently in a dispute triggered by the Agency’s Israeli-influenced accusations, which were leveled against Tehran’s peaceful nuclear activities. The IAEA insists to probe into what it claims to be “uranium traces” found at “undeclared nuclear sites” in Iran.

The issue has emerged as a key sticking point in talks aimed at salvaging the 2015 nuclear deal, which remain stalled since last August. Iran has dismissed the probe as “politically motivated.”

During Grossi’s March visit to Iran, the IAEA and Tehran said in a joint statement that “Iran, on a voluntary basis, will allow the watchdog to implement further appropriate verification and monitoring activities.”

Kan’ani said, “The measures of the Islamic Republic of Iran are being taken within the framework set during Grossi’s trip. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) will explain [the measures] whenever it deems appropriate.”

Tehran welcomes Syria’s return to Arab League

Elsewhere in his remarks, the spokesman described as “another victory” for Syria the restoration of the country’s membership in the Arab League after more than a decade of suspension.

“Recently, we witnessed a new development concerning Syria, which was another victory. Arab governments made it possible for Syria to attend the meeting of the Arab League, something we welcome,” he said.

Iran, Egypt have ties at level of interest offices

Asked about Iraq’s mediation in the restoration of Iran-Egypt relations, Kan’ani noted that the ties between the two countries are “at the level of interest offices” and that there is no restriction or obstacle in this regard.

“Tehran has declared that there are no limits to the expansion of relations in the region. We can facilitate Cairo’s will in this path,” he added.

ME