Iran's FM warns of proportional response to any IAEA resolution

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi informed Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), that Iran would provide a proportional response to any resolution passed at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting.

During a phone call, Araghchi and Grossi discussed the ongoing interactions between Iran and the Agency, including the outcomes of Grossi's recent visit to Tehran, as well as developments at the current Board of Governors session, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

Araghchi highlighted the positive outcomes from Grossi's visit, reaffirming Iran's commitment to improving cooperation with the IAEA.

Both sides stressed their determination to maintain dialogue and collaboration to address outstanding issues and avoid adopting confrontational measures.

Araghchi emphasized that if opposing parties ignore Iran's willingness to engage and pursue unconstructive actions, such as passing a resolution at the Board of Governors, Iran would respond appropriately and proportionally.

Besides, Iran has reportedly criticized France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (the E3) for pushing a new censure resolution against it at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following a visit to Tehran by IAEA head Rafael Grossi. 

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the E3's efforts, calling them a setback to the positive engagement between Iran and the IAEA. This comes as recent IAEA reports reveal Iran's offer to cap its stockpile of highly enriched uranium at 60%, just below the weapons-grade threshold, in an attempt to ease tensions.

“This move by the E3 is in clear confrontation with the positive atmosphere created in engagements between Iran and the IAEA, and will only make the issue more complicated,” Araghchi told his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in a phone conversation, according to Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Barrot told him that Iran’s “nuclear escalation was very worrying and carried major risks of proliferation”, according to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said the three European powers will continue “efforts to return to negotiations with Iran with a view to a diplomatic solution”.

By Khagan Isayev