WANA (Aug 26) – Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cannot conduct inspections at Iranian nuclear sites that have come under military attack until specific protocols governing inspections of such facilities are drafted, approved, and formally issued.**

 

Speaking on Wednesday at a ceremony marking the opening and unveiling of four new knowledge-based achievements by Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Eslami said Iran’s position is based on a law passed by parliament as well as the country’s obligations under the IAEA safeguards framework.

 

According to Eslami, Iranian nuclear facilities that were targeted in military attacks had previously been declared to the IAEA and had been subject to regular inspections. He said the agency must establish clear rules and protocols governing inspections of nuclear facilities that have been damaged in military attacks, particularly with regard to their security conditions.

 

The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said inspections of facilities that were not targeted have continued in accordance with safeguards obligations, but that a different situation applies to sites that came under attack. He said Iran had informed the IAEA of its position and that, until regulations governing inspections of such facilities are drafted and formally issued, the agency cannot claim to have carried out inspections of them.

 

Eslami also criticized what he described as pressure from the United States and Israel on the IAEA to gain access to damaged nuclear facilities. He claimed that the purpose of such pressure was to determine the extent and consequences of the military strikes against those sites.

 

At the same time, Eslami called for the IAEA to maintain its independence, saying the agency should operate according to its statute and established rules and should not be subjected to political pressure.

 

Iran Says Radioisotope Exports Have Continued

Eslami also said Iran’s exports of radiopharmaceuticals had continued even during the war and are currently being supplied to several countries.

 

He said disruptions to air travel had at times complicated the export process, but that Iran had transported some shipments overland to border crossings during the war and handed them over there. He expressed hope that as air traffic returns to a more normal pattern, exports of radiopharmaceuticals will continue more regularly.

 

The head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization also announced the expansion of clinics using plasma technology to treat chronic wounds. He said 20 centers in 20 clinics are currently operating across Iran, with several more expected to open soon. According to Eslami, the treatment has so far been used on hundreds and thousands of patients suffering from chronic wounds, including diabetic and pressure ulcers.

 

Expansion of Peaceful Nuclear Technology Applications

Eslami also announced a new agreement to expand the use of plasma technology in agriculture. He said an initial trial involving plasma-treated wheat seeds resulted in at least a 30 percent increase in yields, and that the technology is now expected to be expanded to several hundred hectares.

 

He also discussed Iran’s efforts to develop nuclear fusion technology, describing fusion as part of the future of energy and saying Iran is pursuing the “Shams” tokamak project to strengthen its capabilities in this field.