Iran decries ‘unfair’ IAEA report on nuclear activities

DUBAI/PARIS (Reuters) -Iran accused the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company on Tuesday of publishing an unfair report on its investigation into Tehran’s nuclear actions, probably organising a recent diplomatic conflict with the West.

The U.N. watchdog on Monday mentioned Iran had not credibly answered long-standing questions concerning the origin of uranium particles discovered at three undeclared websites, regardless of a recent push for a breakthrough.

“Sadly this report doesn’t replicate the fact of talks between Iran and the company,” Overseas Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh advised reporters on Tuesday.

“This isn’t a good nor balanced report, and plainly strain from the Zionists and different actors has diverted the trail of technical studies to the political area – and we count on this pattern to be corrected,” he mentioned.

The dearth of progress might arrange a brand new diplomatic conflict with the West when the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company’s 35-nation Board of Governors meets subsequent week. If Western powers search a decision criticising Tehran, it might deal an extra blow to stalled efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

These powers have till now repeatedly shied away from admonishing Iran on the board on the identical concern fearing it might jeopardise the nuclear talks.

“We name on Iran to reply at once to the questions and desires of the IAEA below its safeguards settlement,” France’s deputy overseas ministry spokesman, Francois Delmas, advised reporters.

“We’re in shut session with our companions on the follow-up to be given to this example on the subsequent Board of Governors.”

Iran and the US engaged in oblique talks in Vienna over the previous 12 months to revive the 2015 nuclear settlement between Tehran and world powers which then-U.S. President Donald Trump left in 2018.

(Reporting by John Irish; Modifying by Kevin Liffey and Nick Macfie)