Iran: IAEA sole authority to verify nuclear commitments

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations described the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as the only authority to verify the fulfillment of nuclear obligations, saying any claim about Iran’s noncompliance with the 2015 nuclear deal “lacks relevance and credibility.”

“Iran stresses that IAEA – an independent intergovernmental, science and technology-based organization – is the sole competent authority responsible for the verification of the fulfillment of safeguards obligations,” Gholamali Khoshroo said in an address to the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, Tasnim News Agency reported.

The Islamic Republic of Iran underscores the importance of full realization of the inalienable right of any state to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This includes the inherent right of each state to participate in the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Taking into account the growing applications of nuclear energy and its role in the socioeconomic development of societies, Iran is determined to vigorously continue to exercise its inalienable right to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy, including development of a full national nuclear fuel cycle, for peaceful purposes, the Iranian diplomat said.