Iran Blasts “Dangerous Adventurism” Against Its Nuclear Program
IRAN NEWS NATIONAL DESK
TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador to the Vienna-based international organizations Kazem Gharibabadi named the early July incident that took place at the Natanz facility as ‘dangerous adventurism’.
He made the remark in his report on Thursday to the seasonal session of the Board of Directors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He said that “The fact that 22 percent of the Agency’s global inspections alone is conducted in Iran, shows that Iran has the most transparent peaceful nuclear program among the Agency’s Member States. Although the Agency is supposed to focus on the current activities, however, Iran has voluntarily accepted the request by the Agency to address possible safeguards issues.”
“In this context, the Director General’s current report depicts the extra-miles which both Iran and the Agency have taken to reach a common understanding on the issues at hand, and to find satisfactory resolutions for them. We, both, are in agreement that in order to overcome possible impediments, a conducive environment should be established for it first, which certainly comes out of mutual good-faith. The current extensive level of cooperation between Iran and the Agency has not been achieved easily, and we shouldn’t allow it to be diminished simply by imprudent political interests of few.”
He said it was “noteworthy that the same legal instruments which entitle the Agency to enjoy certain rights, also identify the boundaries and limitations for the assumption of such rights. In this regard, questions or requests by the Agency should be based on convincing underlying reasons, and independent information and findings. Also, the Member States of the Agency should seriously avoid exerting any pressure against it for preserving its integrity. By considering such limitations and refraining from basing the questions and requests on allegations and fabricated documents, the grounds were ready for cooperation between Iran and the Agency. In this line, since the Agency has considered and analyzed information available to it till now, therefore, does not have any further question or requests for access to locations other than those declared by Iran.”
Furthermore, he went on “to emphasize that since few adversaries of the JCPOA could not find any issues in the recent years to destroy the JCPOA and cooperation between Iran and the Agency, they have tried in vain to build their arguments upon unfounded, baseless allegations. Nevertheless, it is upon the Board of Governors and the Agency’s Secretariat to show necessary wisdom and foresight to avoid getting entangled in their mischief.”
“It should be noted that the issues under consideration are related to the Additional Protocol in terms of requests for access; and, one should not lose sight of the fact that this Protocol is provisionally and voluntary applied by the Islamic Republic of Iran due to the JCPOA. Accordingly, I would like to note that, as quite often reiterated by the Non-Aligned Movement, there should be a clear distinction between legal obligations of Member States under their respective safeguards agreements and their voluntary undertakings, in order to ensure that such voluntary undertakings are not turned into legal safeguards obligations. In view of this, pending the resolution of these issues, they should be addressed within ongoing interaction between Iran and the Agency; therefore, there is no need for further regular reporting to the Board,” he added.
The Iranian diplomat further stressed that “The Islamic Republic of Iran places great importance on nuclear security. In this context, I would like to draw your attention to an important matter and refer to the recent explosion in Shahid Ahmadi Roushan nuclear facility (Natanz) which was the result of sabotage as already declared. We warn against any such reckless and dangerous adventurism. Such malicious acts should be condemned strongly by the Agency and its Member States. In several General Conference resolutions, it is highlighted that any armed attack and threat against nuclear facilities dedicated for peaceful purposes and are under the IAEA safeguards, is considered as the gross violation of the provisions of the UN Charter, international law and the Statute of the Agency. In addition to protecting its nuclear facilities in any way it deems necessary, Iran reserves its right to take appropriate actions against such threats. I would also like to emphasize that such malicious acts will not negatively affect Iran’s nuclear program, but will only serve as an incentive to accelerate its development.”
