The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) said there are messages delivered from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showing that they intend to close Iran’s still-open case of alleged uranium-contaminated locations.
It was on this Monday that Mohammad Eslami, the chief of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said during an interview that the IAEA has sent positive signals that it is willing to close Iran’s case of alleged uranium-polluted areas.
He also expressed hope that the IAEA chooses the path of honesty in this case and do not waste its time anymore, adding that they should not think that in such cases they can exert maximum pressure. Referring to the agreement with the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Eslami added that Iran will answer the questions on the condition that IAEA closes the above-mentioned case.
During the interview with Iran’s state-controlled media, Eslami noted that Tehran is looking forward to break the ice and change the atmosphere that has been shaped against Iran’s nuclear program, which is all peaceful and in line with international law.
The AEOI chief further referred to recent efforts by Israel to undermine the negotiations to revive the JCPOA. “The narrative that Zionists and Western governments make about Iran’s nuclear program and the accusations they have against our nuclear industry is nothing new and predates to 20 years ago, and since then, has led to the imposition of heavy sanctions against Iran.” Eslami said.
But the offer the UAEA has made seems to still not be satisfactory for Iran as the Agency has said that it is ready to close the case of only two of the alleged places and that Iran should clarify more about the other remaining site.
Regarding this third area, Eslami explained that this place “is an abandoned mine that has been unused for more than 30 years.”
Eslami also criticized the AIEA for over inspecting Iran’s nuclear activities; “About 2% of the world’s nuclear capacity is related to Iran, but about 25% of the inspections are targeted towards the Islamic Republic, which is unfair in nature,” he said.
Europe still playing the bad boy
Also on Monday, France warned Iran that there would not be a better offer for the Islamic Republic to revive the JCPOA and that the ball is now in Tehran’s court to step up for restoring the nuclear deal or not.
“There will not be a better offer on the table and it’s up to Iran to take the right decisions,” French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told reporters on the sidelines of the United Nations’ General Assembly in New York, adding that no initiatives were underway to unblock the situation.
Iran’s demand from the IAEA to close an investigation into uranium traces found at three undeclared sites before the pact is revived is in fact the biggest hurdle in the way of a new agreement. Washington has not yet accepted the demand.
European diplomats have also been on the same page with the US and has constantly been demanding that Iran must give credible answers to the IAEA’s questions regarding the above-mentioned sites where traces of enriched uranium has allegedly been found.
“Europeans are against us having fuel cycle because fuel cycle is a symbol of having power, and Europeans have not agreed with this ever since before the 1979 revolution.” Eslami noted Monday, rebuking Europe’s stance on the matter.
