Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations office in Vienna, Mohsen Naziri Asl, condemned Britain, France, and Germany for leading a resolution against Tehran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He warned that these countries would bear responsibility for the negative repercussions of this move.
The statement came after the IAEA's Board of Governors passed a resolution accusing Iran of insufficient cooperation with the agency. The resolution, proposed by the European troika (E3), was ratified with 20 votes in favor, 2 against, and 12 abstentions. It demands that Iran enhance its cooperation with the IAEA and provide credible explanations to the agency's questions.
Naziri Asl emphasized that the resolution would damage the atmosphere needed for further cooperative measures between Iran and the IAEA. He asserted that Iran might respond in kind, in full compliance with its rights and obligations. He also accused the E3 of attempting to distract from the Israeli regime’s actions in Gaza and affirmed Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear program.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) spokesperson, Behrouz Kamalvandi, also condemned the resolution, urging Western countries to pursue interaction and cooperation rather than applying political pressure. He reiterated that Iran would not relinquish its inalienable rights under such pressure.
Despite sanctions and obstacles from Western governments, Iran has continued to advance its peaceful nuclear energy program and has cooperated closely with the IAEA. The future of the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), remains uncertain following the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 and subsequent sanctions on Tehran.