Iran’s nuclear chief on Monday said the UN atomic watchdog has no right to demand inspections of sites attacked by the United States and Israel in June, deepening the stalemate over Tehran's disputed nuclear program.
Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said Tehran had allowed inspections at nuclear sites that were not attacked but drew a distinction with facilities that sustained military strikes.
“There must be a protocol in place for inspections of nuclear sites that have been attacked before permission can be given,” he told reporters, according to ISNA.
“The agency, which neither condemned the attacks nor has any guideline for such situations, has no right to claim inspections,” Eslami said.
He added that pressure from three European countries, the United States and Israel “is not important to us and has no impact.”
Eslami said International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi should be held accountable, adding that Iranian nuclear facilities had been under IAEA supervision before the June attacks.
“The director general must answer to the world,” he said, adding that attacks on safeguarded nuclear sites could happen to any country and that the agency should clarify what procedures it has in place in such circumstances.
The IAEA has said it is seeking access to key Iranian sites following recent military strikes, arguing that oversight is essential to verify nuclear material and equipment.
Iran has repeatedly said its nuclear program is peaceful and rejects accusations that it is seeking nuclear weapons.
