Iran accuses nuclear watchdog of becoming "tool" in hands of Israeli "regime"

The Iranian Parliament has issued an official warning to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stating that Tehran may increase uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels of 93 per cent if the agency continues "anti-Iranian policies."

The stark message was expressed in a statement addressed to the nuclear watchdog's Director General Rafael Grossi, with its full content published by the Iranian media, Caliber.Az reports. 

“In accordance with Article 4 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the people of Iran have three inalienable rights: The right to research and development, production, and use of nuclear energy, provided the program remains peaceful and under IAEA safeguards and supervision,” the statement notes. “Based on this, the Islamic Republic of Iran faces no restrictions in its nuclear R&D activities and is entitled to enrich uranium up to 93% to meet scientific, medical, and industrial needs.”

The statement continues by addressing Grossi personally, urging that "the IAEA must not become a tool in the hands of the regime [edit: referring to Israel] or the leader of the global axis of evil—the United States of America. We, as representatives of the Iranian people in Parliament, reaffirm our commitment to international obligations, but warn: if the agency’s next report violates the legitimate rights of the Iranian people or serves the interests of our enemies, you will face a resolute response from the people of Iran.”

The statement further emphasizes that Articles 3 and 11 of the IAEA Statute "clearly state that the development of peaceful nuclear technologies should be promoted among all member states, and the agency is obligated to provide technical and specialized support for that purpose.”

It comes at a time when Iran and the United States have resumed indirect talks over the limiting of the nuclear program. A fourth round of negotiations took place on May 11 in Muscat, the capital of Oman, which has been mediating the negotiations so far. US President Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran’s program if a deal isn’t reached.

In a December 26 report, the IAEA noted that Iran is now producing approximately nine kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent uranium-235 per month, noting that accelerating the production of uranium enriched to 60 percent U-235 is concerning because the material can be quickly enriched to weapons-grade levels or 90 percent.

France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States condemned Iran’s decision in a joint statement back then and described it as a “backwards step” that demonstrates Tehran’s “lack of good will” toward de-escalation. Mohammad Elsami, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, dismissed the IAEA report as propaganda. The increase in enrichment of uranium to 60 percent U-235 came amid mixed signals from Tehran regarding its interest in nuclear diplomacy and restoring the 2015 nuclear deal.

By Nazrin Sadigova