Russia's foreign minister on Friday urged UN nuclear watchdog chief to keep what he called a neutral, non-politicized approach to Iran’s nuclear file, adding any renewed cooperation must be on terms Tehran considers fair.
“We call on IAEA Director General Grossi, who is pushing to restore contacts with Tehran, to strictly adhere to the founding mission of the IAEA Secretariat,” Russia’s state news agency TASS cited Sergei Lavrov as saying in Cairo.
“This includes the neutral, unbiased, and professional nature of assessments and the broader activities of this organization,” Lavrov added.
Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reached a technical understanding in Cairo in September, when Egypt mediated a deal aimed at gradually restoring inspectors’ access to nuclear sites.
Following the return of UN sanctions on Iran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the United States and three European powers had “killed” the Cairo nuclear agreement through what he called a sequence of hostile actions.
Lavrov said that Iran could not be expected to resume full cooperation with the agency while feeling exposed to attacks and political pressure.
“Moscow backs efforts to resume talks between Iran and the IAEA, but only on a fair basis that Tehran views as balanced and consistent with the agency’s mandate,” he added.
The IAEA Board of Governors adopted a Western-backed resolution last month, urging Iran to provide full access and information about its nuclear program. Diplomats said the measure passed with 19 votes in favor, 3 against, and 12 abstentions, with Russia, China, and Niger voting against it.
The resolution called on Iran to allow verification of its enriched uranium stockpile and inspections at sites damaged by US and Israeli airstrikes in June.
Araghchi said last month that Washington’s approach amounted to “dictation, not negotiation,” accusing the US of trying to achieve through diplomacy what it failed to gain by force.
“They want us to accept zero enrichment and limits on our defense capabilities,” he said. “This is not negotiation.”
Trump said Iran could avoid past and by reaching a nuclear deal, adding that any attempt to revive its program without an agreement would prompt further US action. He has repeatedly said Iran missed an earlier chance to avert the strikes by accepting a deal.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said dealing with Donald Trump is beneath the dignity of the Islamic Republic, while Iranian officials have rejected US demands to end uranium enrichment and curb missile capabilities.
