Iran warns it could halt IAEA cooperation after US criticism
Tehran has threatened to call off a recent deal with the United Nations' atomic watchdog that allows for limited inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities.
![Iran's Atomic Energy Vice-President Ali Akbar Salehi, is seen speaking on a screen as he attends virtually the 64th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria on September 21, 2020. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by JOE KLAMAR has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Ali Akbar Salehi] instead of [Zarif]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_large/public/almpics/2021/02/GettyImages-1228632114.jpg/GettyImages-1228632114.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=OAYZ2rFS "1228632114")
Iran threatened to call off the deal it recently reached with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if the UN nuclear watchdog backs a US-sponsored initiative to condemn Tehran’s recent nuclear violations, Reuters reports.
The United States and Iran are at odds over who should make the first move to restart diplomacy over the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). President Joe Biden says the United States will reenter the agreement only if Iran resumes full compliance under the deal. But Tehran says it will only reverse its nuclear violations if Washington lifts sanctions.
This week Iran halted snap inspections of its nuclear facilities after a deal reached with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi that saw the country suspending short-notice visits from inspectors in exchange for the UN agency continuing its regular verification and monitoring activities for a period of up to three months.
The United States has reportedly asked the IAEA’s 35-member board of governors to produce a resolution that voices their “deepening concern with respect to Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA.”
