Iran had informed the UN nuclear watchdog that it is putting an end to its snap inspections, put in place as part of the 2015 deal. Iran needs “to contribute to a de-escalation to give diplomacy a chance,” German diplomat says.
Last modified: 02-17-2021 05:10
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani meet on the sideline of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sept. 24, 2019 | File photo: AP via the Iranian Presidency Office
Germany on Tuesday warned Iran against blocking inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog, a diplomatic source in Berlin said.
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“It would be completely unacceptable should Iran obstruct IAEA inspections,” the German diplomat said.
“We urge Iran to refrain from this step, and are in close contact regarding this issue with our partners, including the United States,” the diplomat said, adding Iran needed to contribute to a de-escalation to give diplomacy a chance.
Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday about its plan to end sweeping inspection powers given to the agency under the 2015 nuclear deal.
“Act of Parliament will be executed on time and the IAEA has been informed today to ensure the smooth transition to a new course in due time. After all, goodwill brings about goodwill!,” Kazem Gharibabadi said on his Twitter account.
A law passed by Iran’s hardline-dominated parliament last year obliges the government to end the snap inspections of the IAEA on Feb. 21 and limit its inspections to declared nuclear sites only.
Iran said that it would block snap inspections from next week if other parties to the 2015 nuclear deal do not fulfill their obligations, a challenge to US President Joe Biden’s hope of reviving the accord.
“If others do not fulfill their obligations by Feb. 21, the government is obliged to suspend the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.
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