The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a United Nations agency, condemned today, Saturday, what it described as "disproportionate and unprecedented" action taken by Iran in excluding about a third of its most experienced inspectors assigned to the country, hindering the agency's ability to oversee Tehran's nuclear activities. Rafael Grossi, the agency's director general, stated in a press release: "I strongly condemn this unilateral, disproportionate, and unprecedented action that affects the planning and inspection activities routinely carried out by the agency in Iran, and openly contradicts the cooperation that should exist between the agency and Iran."
This Iranian action, known as "de-appointment" of inspectors, is permitted as member states of the agency generally have the right to use it against inspectors assigned to visit their nuclear facilities under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and each state's safeguards agreement with the agency. However, the IAEA stated that Tehran's decision exceeded usual practices, adding that Iran informed it that it would prevent the entry of "several" inspectors without specifying a number. The agency noted: "These inspectors are among the most experienced experts of the agency and possess unique knowledge in enrichment technology. By today's decision, Iran effectively removed about a third of the core group of the agency's most experienced inspectors designated for Iran."
A diplomat based in Vienna noted that Iran had eliminated the names of all French and German members from the agency's inspection team. There are currently no Americans or British members on the team. The agency pointed out that "although this action is officially permitted under the safeguards agreement of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has exercised it in a manner that directly and severely impacts the agency's ability to conduct effective inspections in Iran."
**Iran Defends Its Decision**
Official media reported that Iran defended today its move to prevent some United Nations nuclear inspectors from working in the country, accusing the United States, Britain, France, and Germany of politicizing the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani stated: "Unfortunately, despite Iran's positive, constructive, and ongoing engagement with the agency, the three European countries and the United States have misused the IAEA Board of Governors to serve their own political purposes."
