Iran Dismisses IAEA Allegations, Warns of Proportional Response
WANA (Jun 10) – Iran’s permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Reza Najafi, has rejected recent claims by the IAEA Director General, stating that the mere presence of uranium traces is not evidence of nuclear activity.
“Our security forces have obtained intelligence on espionage activities at certain locations, which was shared with the IAEA. It is likely that some traces of uranium are the result of acts of sabotage,” Najafi said.
He emphasized that all allegations concerning Iran’s nuclear program are politically motivated. “We will respond appropriately to any political move by the Agency,” Najafi asserted.
Adding to this stance, Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesperson and deputy head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization for international, legal, and parliamentary affairs, also addressed Iran’s potential reaction to a possible resolution by the E3 (France, Germany, and the UK) against the Islamic Republic.
“In line with previous experiences, Iran will undoubtedly take a proportional countermeasure,” Kamalvandi said in an interview. “Our response will depend on their position, but this time, in addition to reacting to the European trio, Iran will also take a stance toward the IAEA itself. Tehran has fully cooperated with the Agency, and the IAEA should appreciate this cooperation.”
He further warned that if Iran had chosen to limit its cooperation, the IAEA would have been unable to fulfill its responsibilities. “We’ve gone beyond our obligations in working with the Agency, and if they fail to show gratitude, we will naturally reduce our cooperation to a normal level,” Kamalvandi concluded.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi welcomed by Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, upon his arrival in Tehran at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2023. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
