In a press conference held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated that Iran has no issue with inspections conducted by the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This declaration comes shortly after Iran barred multiple inspectors assigned to the country, sparking controversy.
"We have no problem with the inspections, but the problem lies with some inspectors ... those inspectors deemed trustworthy can continue their work in Iran," President Raisi clarified.
Iran's decision to bar certain inspectors was a response to a call made by the United States, Britain, France, and Germany at the IAEA's Board of Governors meeting, urging Tehran to cooperate immediately on various issues, including explaining uranium traces found at undisclosed sites.
Raisi attributed Iran's move to what he described as "unfair statements by Western members of the IAEA." UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi has criticized Iran's action as "disproportionate and unprecedented."
It's important to note that Tehran's action, known as "de-designation" of inspectors, is permissible under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Member states generally have the authority to veto inspectors assigned to visit their nuclear facilities, as governed by their safeguards agreements with the IAEA.
