Tehran rejects third-party mediation, prefers direct dialogue with IAEA

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, has said that Iran does not need mediation in the framework of its interaction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Baghaei made the remarks responding to a question regarding Iran’s engagement with the IAEA and the mediation efforts of some countries, including Egypt, Mehr writes.

"Our representative in Vienna is active. We are members of the Agency, we present our positions publicly, and we convey them directly in discussions with Agency officials. As long as we remain members of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, we consider ourselves bound by its obligations.”

This stance comes amid escalating friction following an IAEA Board of Governors resolution passed on November 20, which censured Iran for alleged non-cooperation on its nuclear program. That day, the IAEA Board passed a resolution, which demanded "precise information" on Iran's undeclared nuclear activities and high-enriched uranium stockpiles.

By Khagan Isayev