Iran rejects IAEA chief's request to visit war-damaged nuclear sites

Iran will not permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi to visit nuclear facilities damaged during the war, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, while accusing the United States of failing to honor its commitments under a bilateral memorandum.

Speaking at a press briefing, Baghaei said Tehran has fully complied with the memorandum signed with Washington and insisted that responsibility for its non-implementation rests entirely with the United States.

"Iran has never been the initiator of violating its obligations. We proudly state that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always demonstrated diligence and seriousness in every negotiation," Baghaei said. "The party that has consistently violated the agreements is the United States."

Baghaei said Iran will reciprocally suspend its obligations under the memorandum until the United States resumes full compliance with the agreements reached.

"From the very beginning, we spoke of the principle of 'commitment in exchange for commitment.' If the other side fulfills its obligations, we will also fulfill ours," Baghaei said. "From now on, we will act accordingly: as long as the other side continues to violate its obligations, the Islamic Republic of Iran will, in turn, refrain from fulfilling the commitments it has undertaken."

The spokesperson also confirmed that Tehran will reject Grossi's request to inspect nuclear facilities that were damaged during the war.

By Vafa Guliyeva