IAEA should observe principles of impartiality, professionalism: FM Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the UN nuclear agency should observe the principles of impartiality and professionalism in its dealings with the Islamic Republic.

Zarif made the remarks in a Tuesday meeting with Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi, who is on his first visit to Tehran since taking office in December 2019.

“The Islamic Republic seeks continued cooperation with the Agency under normal circumstances and within the framework of international regulations,” the top Iranian diplomat said.

He added that Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA has always been based on international commitments and within technical and professional frameworks.

“As the IAEA has verified numerous times, Iran has cooperated the most [among all countries] with the Agency with regard to the safeguards, and this path can be followed,” Zarif added.

The Iranian foreign minister expressed hope that both sides would continue cooperation in good faith and based on the safeguards’ regulations by resolving the existing disagreements.

Very productive mtg w/ IAEA @rafaelmgrossi

Iran has been fully transparent: over 92 percent of IAEA total comparable global inspections were carried out in Iran.

Some are intent to torpedo transparency thru pressure to reopen closed matters.

We want normal relations w/ IAEA. pic.twitter.com/t9vnwHGAsk— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) August 25, 2021

The IAEA chief, for his part, said the agency fulfills its duties in accordance with the principles of neutrality and professionalism.

Grossi noted that past Iran-IAEA cooperation had been beneficial to both sides, saying the trend could continue after overcoming the existing problems.

In a tweet posted after his discussions with the top Iranian diplomat, Grossi said he was “grateful for his (Zarif’s) willingness to further work cooperatively with the @IAEAorg.”

The IAEA director general arrived in Tehran Monday night to hold talks with senior Iranian officials.

Prior to his discussions with Zarif, Grossi held a meeting with Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali-Akbar Salehi, followed by a joint presser.

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