E3, the U.S. misusing I.A.E.A. to realize own political objectives: Iran

TEHRAN (Iran News)  Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has criticized the United States and three European countries – namely France, Britain, and Germany – for misusing the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) for their own political gains.

During his weekly press briefing on Monday, Baqaei responded to a question raised about the West’s push for an anti-Iran resolution at the I.A.E.A.’s Board of Governors meeting in Vienna this week.

He said that the Islamic Republic had taken steps in the past one or two years in cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog but the three European countries and the United States often abused the agency for their own political purposes.

According to the spokesperson, the I.A.E.A. decided to first prepare a report under the political pressure and influence from the Western countries, and subsequently the same countries abused that report.

He underlined that Iran’s interactions with the agency, from the very beginning, had been based on its commitments arising from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

France, Britain, and Germany, and the United States are reportedly seeking a draft resolution that accuses Iran of “non-compliance” with safeguards obligations for the first time in almost 20 years, an issue that was declared closed within the framework of the 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Tehran has already warned that any such move will be met with a serious and decisive response.

Enrichment a non-negotiable issue

Regarding the issue of Iran’s continued uranium enrichment, Baqaei said that the Islamic Republic did not need licenses in this regard and would not allow others to impose their will on Iran’s right to enrichment.

He pointed that enriching uranium does not necessarily mean having a weapons program, arguing that many countries, including some close allies of the United States, are enriching without having a weapons program.

Enrichment is an integral part of the nuclear fuel cycle, which has been developed after decades of effort and dedication of Iranian scientists, he said, adding that “This right is explicitly recognized for member states and is non-negotiable under Article 4 of the NPT.”

Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful 

Referring to a recent I.A.E.A. report, Baqaei said that the agency did not mention any non-compliance or deviation in Iran’s nuclear program from the peaceful path.

He stated that the report itself has several problems as it was drafted with political goals and in order to make excuses for Iran’s nuclear program, but there is no mention of Iran’s program being non-peaceful.

The spokesperson said the position of the Islamic Republic is quite clear that the country, as a responsible member of the NPT, remains committed to continuing the peaceful path.

He also touched on Israeli propaganda against Iran’s nuclear program, saying that the issue has been affected by the hype created by the regime.

He said that Iran’s nuclear program has been under the most stringent monitoring mechanisms of the I.A.E.A.

Baqaei accused European countries of piling up pressure under the pretext of lack of transparency simply following Israeli narratives. “If you look at the history of the issue, as I mentioned before, the Zionist regime first claimed in 1984 that Iran was seeking to produce nuclear weapons. Now 40 years have passed since then and the status of the JCPOA is also clear to everyone.”

U.S. proposal for Iran

Addressing a question related to the U.S. proposal that was conveyed to Iran by Oman on May 31, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson did not give the details but said the proposal neither had the characteristics of active and bilateral negotiations nor was it the outcome of the indirect Iran-U.S. talks held so far.

Baqaei emphasized that any plan that does not take into account the rights and interests of the Iranian nation, whether in the field of nuclear energy or with regard to ensuring the effective lifting of oppressive sanctions, is unacceptable to the country and shows a lack of seriousness in the negotiations.

He noted that Iran will present its own reasonable, logical, and balanced proposal to the other side through Oman once it is finalized.

Europe deviated from diplomatic path

Referring to anti-Iran stance and rhetoric by some European countries, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that “the confrontation with European countries cannot in any way create an incentive for cooperation.”

He underlined that Iran had clearly stated from the beginning that it is ready to resolve outstanding issues through talks but the European parties not only failed to present constructive proposals, but also withdrew from the diplomatic process for other reasons.

According to the spokesperson, a destructive and unconstructive approach was seen when European countries called for the I.A.E.A. report and then drafted a resolution to push during the agency’s Board of Governors this week.

He warned that the Western countries would be responsible for the consequences of their actions as Iran would take proportionate and reciprocal steps.

Referring to activating the ‘snapback’ mechanism, Baqaei said that the issue should not be exaggerated too much as Iran’s nuclear program is completely peaceful and there is no excuse or legal basis to put the Iranian nuclear issue on the Security Council’s agenda.

Slamming ban on Iranians entering the U.S.

Addressing President Donald Trump’s executive order to ban citizens of certain countries, including Iran, from entering the U.S., Baqaei said that the move is discriminatory and racist and is completely condemnable both from the perspective of human rights and moral obligations.

He said that since the majority of the population affected by this regulation is Muslim, Trump’s decision is based on the nationality and religion of individuals.

“Countries and governments are not allowed to enact laws based on the nationality, race, religion or ethnicity of individuals as such policies violate the fundamental principles of equality and justice and represent an inhumane and illegal approach,” he added.

Genocide amid international silence

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, once gain deplored the ongoing Israeli genocide against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Unfortunately, the silence and inaction of international institutions, including the United Nations Security Council (U.N.S.C.), has emboldened the regime to continue massacring people in Gaza and the West Bank, he said.

Referring to the U.S. veto of a U.N.S.C. resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza last week, Baqaei pointed that Washington’s stance once again proved its backing for Israel and granting its officials impunity for gross human rights violations.

He called on the international community to take serious and urgent action to stop the sad and horrific situation the Palestinians are going through for the past two years.