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Russia calls on UN nuclear chief to maintain impartiality on Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov voiced Moscow’s call on Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi to maintain an unbiased professional position of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.
"We call on [IAEA] Director General Grossi who pushes for restoring contacts with Tehran to strictly adhere to the principles of work of the IAEA Secretariat, including the neutral, unbiased professional nature of assessments being presented and the broader activity of this organization," Lavrov said.
Tensions between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog have repeatedly flared in recent years, with relations being further strained in the wake of a 12-day aggression in June that saw Israeli and US strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran suspended its cooperation with the IAEA after the aggression against Iran as per a law adopted by Parliament.
Tensions escalated as Iranian officials said the IAEA effectively provided cover for the strikes by declaring the country in violation of its non-proliferation obligations shortly before the bombardment and then failing to condemn the aggression.