Pezeshkian: IAEA’s double standards spur problems for int’l security
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that the UN nuclear agency’s double standards have created many problems for regional and global security after strikes by Israel and the United States targeted several Iranian nuclear facilities.
Pezeshkian, in a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, criticized the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi for failing to condemn the attacks.
Pezeshkian also criticized Grossi for presenting “inaccurate reports” about Iran’s nuclear program, which were used by the Israeli regime as a pretext to attack Iran.
"Why should the criminal Zionist regime, which is not a member of the NPT (the Non-Proliferation Treaty), be the basis and reference for the IAEA's reports?", Pezeshkian asked.
"These double standards have brought about serious challenges to regional and global security. It is expected that the IAEA, while respecting the rights of nations and refraining from biased behaviors, also defend the legitimate rights of its member states," the Iranian president said.
Israel and the US launched several strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites during a 12-day aggression against Iran, which began on June 13 and ended on June 24 following a US-proposed cease-fire.
Pezeshkian said that Iran’s government, Parliament and the nation now believe that the IAEA’s chief has not acted impartially toward Iran’s nuclear dossier, despite cooperation by the Islamic Republic.
He also defended a move by the Parliament to suspend Iran’s cooperation with the UN agency as a natural response to the “unjustified, unconstructive, and destructive behavior” of the IAEA’s chief.
On Wednesday, Iranian lawmakers voted in favor of a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, citing attacks by Israel and the US on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
"When the IAEA director-general does not abide by the laws of this international body and refuses to condemn the attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear facilities, expecting member states to comply with the agency's regulations is unreasonable", Pezeshkian said.
On the assumption that Iran continues its cooperation with the agency, “What guarantees are in place to ensure our nuclear facilities won't be targeted again?", President Pezeshkian asked.
Macron, for his part, expressed condolences for the death of more than 900 Iranians during the Israel’s aggression, saying that France was one of the first countries that condemned the attacks.
He also emphasized the continuation of Tehran's cooperation with the IAEA as well as the ongoing dialogue with European countries.
In a Sunday post on X, Macron said he called for "respect for the cease-fire" and a return to negotiations to address "ballistic and nuclear issues."