Issue of inspections of two nuclear sites where some experts speculate activities in the early 2000s aimed at building the atomic bomb. France, Germany and Great Britain are pressing for a resolution. For the Iranian Foreign Minister "more inspections in Iran in the past 5 years than in the whole history of the IAEA".
Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - An "acceptable" agreement on inspections at two nuclear sites is still "possible," announced Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif yesterday, opening up a possible solution regarding the request by the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit two nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic.
The announcement made yesterday evening with a message on Twitter, has ignited glimmers of hope for the solution to an ongoing crisis which risks exacerbating relations between countries still bound by the nuclear agreement. France, Great Britain and Germany have presented a draft resolution to the IAEA Directors, in which they ask that Iran give a "green light to the entry" of inspectors to two different nuclear sites and "full collaboration" with the atomic agency of the United Nations.
In his message, Zarif stresses that "BoG should not allow JCPOA enemies to jeopardize Iran’s supreme interests. E3 should not be an accessory, after failing own JCPOA duties,” Zarif tweeted. “We’ve nothing to hide. More inspections in Iran over last 5 yrs than in IAEA history. An agreeable solution is possible, but Res will ruin it.".
The reference is to the possible approval of an IAEA resolution with the aim of increasing pressure on Iran, which so far has not guaranteed full collaboration in the activity of inspectors, in particular on two controversial sites. Experts and critics maintain that in the early 2000’s - and well before the agreement - uranium enrichment activities were carried out within them, aimed at the development of nuclear weapons.
US President Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),wanted by his predecessor Barack Obama. The JCPOA deal was signed in 2015, but the United States pulled out in May 2018 despite the opposition of the international community. US President Donald Trump followed the withdrawal by imposing the toughest sanctions in history against Iran. The decision has negatively impacted the Iranian economy as noted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In response, Tehran has threatened to resume uranium enrichment for civilian purposes.