TEHRAN, Sept. 1– Iran’s atomic chief said on Sunday that two inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog oversaw a fuel replacement process at the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, told state television the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors were allowed to supervise the work with the approval of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and under a law passed in June to restrict cooperation with the agency.
He said the inspectors carried out their duties in line with the legislation, after receiving the required permit, and then left the country. Eslami added that Iran’s Foreign Ministry has held two rounds of talks with the IAEA, and a third is planned.
“The important point is that what should be materialized according to the parliament’s law is being negotiated at present,” he said. However, he also accused the IAEA of “double standards” and said its director general, Rafael Grossi, was acting under the influence of world powers.
“The agency must act in accordance with written regulations and UN rules, but we are witnessing selective behaviors,” he said.
Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA in early July after President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a parliament bill curbing access to nuclear sites.
Tehran said the move followed Israeli and U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities and accused Grossi of siding with the West by failing to condemn the attacks.
The restrictions, which require National Security Council approval for inspector visits, have raised concern from the UN secretary-general and renewed Israeli calls for the reinstatement of UN sanctions on Iran. (Xinhua)
