EU, IAEA deplore Iran's 'worrying' exclusion of several nuclear inspectors

On Saturday, September 16, Iran notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the decertification of several of its inspectors responsible for monitoring Iran's nuclear program. An "unprecedented" decision that causes great concern within the UN institution.

Reactor building at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, just outside the southern city of Bushehr, Iran, October 26, 2010. (Illustrative photo) Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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The European Union has called on Iran to reverse its decision to de-certify several International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors on Sunday (September 17th). These IAEA members, who were notified of the Iranian decision on Saturday, are responsible for monitoring the country's nuclear program.

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EU urges Iran to reconsider its decision without delay ", thundered, laconic, a spokesman for the Twenty-Seven. Brussels, which is acting as coordinator for the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, known by the acronym JCPOA, is "very worried," he added. "The direct and severe impact of this decision on the agency's ability to conduct its verification activities, including monitoring" of the JCPOA, "is particularly worrying," he said.

" READ ALSO US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement: "Iran is today a "threshold state""

Tense West-Iran relations

The UN nuclear agency condemned the "unprecedented" move. With this measure, Iran removes people whose "expertise required to carry out inspections in complex facilities" requires "years of training," said Rafael Grossi, the director general of the IAEA, at the microphone of RFI.

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The Iranian government has targeted its communication on the most experienced inspectors. And so it's a serious cost," he said. "Although it is allowed in the regulations, because each country can refuse or accept the presence of this or that individual, this is a completely disproportionate measure. It clearly and concretely affects the verification engagement

According to an Iranian media and a Western diplomat, eight inspectors are concerned, all French or German. The Islamic Republic said it took the step in response to a warning issued this week by the United States and European E3 countries (France, Germany and the United Kingdom) at the Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, headquarters of the IAEA. Faced with Iran's "deliberate refusal to collaborate with the Agency", the quartet threatened a new resolution if Tehran "does not implement the essential and urgent actions" required.

I am surprised, because the Iranian government continues to proclaim its willingness to cooperate with us.

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IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to hold talks with Iranian officials at UN General Assembly

Upcoming sanctions?

For now, the Western powers have stuck to a joint statement supported by sixty countries, urging Iran to "act immediately" to resolve disputes with the IAEA. A position deemed unacceptable by the Iranian government. The E3 and Washington "abused the Council's space for purely political purposes," Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani charged, insisting on "the need for the agency's neutrality."

Iran has gradually reneged on commitments made under the 2015 deal, in response to President Donald Trump's 2018 US withdrawal. The pact was supposed to limit Iran's atomic activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. Discussions in Vienna by various stakeholders to revive it broke down last year.

See alsoIran claims to have seized two foreign tankers for fuel smuggling

(

And with AFP)

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• Iran
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