JCPOA opponents aim to undermine Iran-IAEA cooperation: Russian diplomat

A senior Russian diplomat says opponents of a 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and major world powers are seeking to "undermine the confidence and cooperation” between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

According to Press TV, in a post on his Twitter account on Monday, Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said the nuclear deal -- officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- aims to "restore confidence in exclusively peaceful nature" of Iran's nuclear program.

"The deal fulfils this task. No sign of military dimension was found," he added.

The landmark nuclear deal had been reached between Iran and the P5+1 group -- the US, Britain, France, Russia and China plus Germany -- in 2015. However, in May 2018, US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled his country out of the JCPOA and later re-imposed illegal sanctions that had been lifted against Tehran.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in March once again confirmed Iran's compliance with its commitments as per the nuclear deal, saying the country continues to cooperate with the agency.

SS