The Western World’s Determination to End the Nuclear Standoff Is Called Into Question
According to Iran’s top nuclear official, the Western countries would not present a draught resolution of such magnitude against Iran to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors if it had good faith and intended to pursue negotiations on the resurrection of the 2015 nuclear deal.
On the margins of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, told reporters, “The draught contains unpleasant contents which are not true and completely rejected by Iran.” This was reported by ISNA.
In a motion submitted to the board of the UN nuclear watchdog, the United States, Britain, France, and Germany criticized Iran for allegedly failing to cooperate with the agency on safeguarding issues.
The government decided to take this step after a lengthy investigation into the possible presence of radioactive and nuclear material at undisclosed sites yielded “no progress.”
Eslami denied reports that an IAEA delegation would be visiting Tehran at the end of the month in an effort to advance the inquiry.
As of Wednesday, the IAEA’s Board of Governors, comprised of representatives from 35 countries, has convened for its quarterly meeting, during which the draught language in question will be debated and voted on.
It only needs the approval of a simple majority of the board members to become law.
At a press conference on Wednesday, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said, “These things are not going to go away, resolution or no resolution; it is Iran’s obligation to provide us with the information we need.”
The director general had already decided in June that Iran’s explanation wasn’t convincing, which led to a board decision that month.
Iran claims the IAEA’s inquiries are based on false information and wants the case to be resolved before talks can begin on reviving the 2015 agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Iran first agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions under the JCPOA, but once the United States withdrew in 2018, it began to backtrack on its obligations.
For months, talks have stagnated over remaining issues, notably the safeguards issue, that need to be resolved before either party can start compliance.
Iranian officials say they are in contact with their American counterparts, but the United States insists that the talks are no longer a top priority due to the country’s preoccupation with other issues, such as the riots in Iran and the rumored sale of nuclear drones to Russia for use in the country’s conflict with Ukraine.
Earlier this week, US ambassador for Iran Robert Malley emphasized that the US would leave the door open to resume negotiations “when and if” the moment came, but that for the time being, Washington will continue a strategy of sanctions and pressure.
He referred to a “popular movement” and a “crackdown against protesters” in Iran, saying, “Our focus is not an accord that isn’t moving forward, but what is happening in Iran.”
Protests broke out in Iran after the murder of a little girl in police custody, and they escalated into deadly battles between rioters and security personnel.
Iran’s capital city claims the West is to blame for the unrest among its own protesters.
Malley added that the release of three American prisoners in Iran and the alleged sale of nuclear-armed drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine are the top priorities for the United States.
However, on the margins of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian indicated that communications are constantly being exchanged between Iran and the US and that the most recent indirect contact had occurred less than 72 hours ago.
He criticized Malley for his hypocritical stance that talks are not a priority and his emphasis on provocative actions to create turmoil on Iranian streets, saying, “The US has sent messages through some foreign ministers and they are in a hurry for negotiations.”
According to the minister, it is obvious that the United States is trying to force Iran to violate its red lines.
But national interests are vitally important to us, and we will not compromise on them. Nevertheless, we intend to press forward with talks to lift the sanctions.
In the event that the other parties live up to their promises and the deal is successful for Iran, Amir-Abdollahian believes that an agreement on the JCPOA, with all its weaknesses and strengths discussed over the past months, is feasible.
