US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns on Friday, suggesting that Iran’s decision to restrict access to some UN nuclear inspectors indicates a lack of commitment to being a responsible actor in its atomic program.
On Saturday, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the nuclear watchdog, condemned Iran’s actions in barring multiple inspectors assigned to the country. This move has hindered the IAEA’s ability to oversee Tehran’s nuclear activities effectively.
One of the primary missions of the IAEA is to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons by ensuring that states adhere to their commitments to use nuclear technology exclusively for peaceful purposes. The IAEA played a crucial role in verifying Iran’s compliance with the now-defunct 2015 Iran nuclear deal, in which Tehran curtailed its nuclear program in exchange for the easing of sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations.
“We attempted to engage with Iran indirectly, working with European partners, as well as Russia and China, to explore the possibility of Iran returning to compliance with the Iran nuclear deal… However, Iran either could not or would not do so,” Blinken told reporters. “Just this past week, we witnessed Iran’s removal of IAEA inspectors, who are vital for the agency’s efforts to ensure that Iran fulfills its obligations as best as possible. This action does not reflect Iran’s willingness to act as a responsible player.”
Tehran’s move, known as “de-designation” of inspectors, is allowed; states can generally veto inspectors assigned to visit their nuclear facilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and each country’s safeguards agreement with the agency.
