WANA (Mar 05) – Russia’s envoy to international organizations in Vienna has urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure its upcoming report on Iran’s nuclear program remains technical and impartial, warning against language that could be exploited by Western countries for political purposes.

 

Speaking at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday, Mikhail Ulyanov criticized a recent anti-Iran resolution by European nations, saying it undermined prior agreements between Tehran and the IAEA. He warned against weakening the Director-General’s efforts to advance cooperation, accusing Western states of deliberately escalating tensions.

 

Ulyanov expressed concern over the “alarmist” tone of the IAEA report, arguing that previously closed issues—such as the Lavizan-Shian and Marivan sites—were being unnecessarily revived. He also dismissed concerns about Iran’s 60% uranium enrichment, noting that the IAEA itself acknowledged Iran’s cooperation in adjusting safeguard measures.

 

Rejecting political interference, Ulyanov stressed that none of the reported issues pose a nuclear proliferation risk and should be resolved through direct dialogue between Iran and the IAEA. He criticized the influence of Western intelligence on IAEA assessments and reaffirmed that outstanding questions were settled in 2015 under a Board of Governors resolution.

 

Calling the upcoming IAEA report a “turning point”, Ulyanov urged the agency to base its conclusions solely on verified data. He warned that missteps could spark new crises and reiterated Russia’s support for constructive engagement with Iran.