Tehran – Iran has accused Western nations of seeking to escalate tensions following a recent resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding its nuclear program. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that the United States, along with the European trio of Britain, Germany, and France, are deliberately attempting to provoke a crisis.
The IAEA’s resolution, adopted on Thursday, urges Iran to provide “full and immediate cooperation” by granting access to its nuclear facilities and providing necessary information. Araqchi, in a statement made earlier today, asserted that the actions of the Western powers are undermining previous agreements and hindering diplomatic progress.
“Since the E3 (France, Germany, and Britain) and the U.S. are looking for escalation, they know very well that the official end of the Cairo agreement is a direct result of their provocations,” Araqchi stated. He further argued that Washington and the E3 were responsible for dismantling the Cairo agreement, similar to how Israel and the United States allegedly undermined diplomatic efforts last June.
The Cairo agreement, signed in September between Iran and the IAEA, aimed to restore cooperation after Tehran suspended its collaboration with the agency in July. This suspension followed the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites in June during a 12-day conflict allegedly carried out by Israel and the United States.
In an interview with The Economist, Minister Araqchi emphasized the need for a new approach to enable IAEA inspectors to access Iranian nuclear facilities damaged during the conflict. He cited “safety and security risks due to unexploded ordnance, missiles, and other hazards. There is also the danger of radiation.” He also claimed that Tehran continues to receive threats from the United States regarding the reactivation of these nuclear facilities.
The Iranian Foreign Minister has previously stated that granting the IAEA access to nuclear sites targeted during the war remains contingent upon reaching a new agreement between Tehran and the agency. The situation remains delicate, with both sides needing to find a path towards de-escalation and renewed cooperation.
DZWatch will continue to provide updates on this developing story.
