Iran withdraws accreditation of several IAEA inspectors

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) denounced, Saturday September 16, an action ” unprecedented “. Several of its inspectors responsible for monitoring the Iranian nuclear program have seen their accreditation withdrawn by Tehran.

“Today, the Islamic Republic informed me of its decision to withdraw the designation of several experienced inspectors from the Agency”, wrote the general director, Rafael Mariano Grossi, in a press release. With this measure, which comes after another recent case, “Iran has removed a third of the central group” of experts, which “directly and drastically affects” the ability of the IAEA to carry out its mission and guarantee the peaceful nature of nuclear activities, he regrets.

If it is theoretically permitted by the agreements linking the IAEA to Iran, this unilateral decision is “disproportionate and unprecedented”, insists Mr. Grossi. It is “one more step in the wrong direction” and that “deals an unnecessary blow to an already strained relationship”he believes, calling on Tehran to “reconsider your position” and to ” to correct the shot “.

For more than two years now, the IAEA has struggled to control Iran’s nuclear program, which continues to gain momentum even though the Islamic Republic denies wanting to acquire an atomic bomb.

“Iran’s deliberate refusal to collaborate”

Tehran explained that it had taken this measure in response to the warning launched this week by the United States and the European countries of the E3 group (France, Germany and the United Kingdom), during the council of governors meeting in Vienna, IAEA headquarters.

In front of “Iran’s deliberate refusal to collaborate with the Agency”, they brandished the threat of a new resolution. If the Islamic Republic “does not implement essential and urgent actions” required, the Governing Council “must be prepared to take further action”had warned the quartet.

For the moment, the Western powers have stuck to a “joint statement” supported by around sixty countries, urging Tehran to “act immediately” to resolve disputes with the IAEA. A position deemed unacceptable by the Iranian government.

” Unfortunately “E3 and Washington “abused council space for purely political purposes”accused the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanani, in a statement, insisting on “the need for the neutrality of the Agency”.

The Islamic Republic has gradually freed itself from the commitments made within the framework of the 2015 agreement known by the acronym JCPOA, in reaction to the withdrawal of the United States decided in 2018 by President Donald Trump. This pact was supposed to limit Iran’s atomic activities in exchange for a lifting of international sanctions. Discussions held in Vienna by the various stakeholders to revive it failed last year.