The leading entity of the UN’s nuclear research, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), recently reported return of its inspectors to Iran, following the destructive impacts of earlier US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Since the 12-day conflict with Israel in mid-year, Iran chose to withdraw its cooperation with the IAEA. The root cause of this decision was the lack of a firm reaction from the IAEA to the aforementioned aggressive activities that targeted Iran’s nuclear establishments.
The initial IAEA investigation team has now successfully rejoined their posts in Iran as the first step towards normalization. A multitude of nuclear facilities has undergone inspections, varying in impact, with some having been targeted whereas others remained unaffected. The team and the Iranian government are presently discussing practical strategies for protocol implementation as they navigate the process for recommencing their activities successfully.
To coincide with this development, diplomatic representatives from Iran assembled with their counterparts from Britain, France, and Germany in Geneva for discussion. The key item on the agenda: how to forestall the revival of sanctions that the European nations have cautioned of implementing per the terms of the largely ineffectual 2015 nuclear agreement.
From the attendees, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, further emphasized on the necessity for the European trio to exercise diplomacy by allowing it the requisite span and patience at this crucial juncture. With regarded to the 2015 agreement, Britain, France, and Germany – all endorsers of the deal – cautioned about activating the treaty’s ‘snapback mechanism’ by the end of the coming month.
The Geneva meet was the second round of negotiations involving European diplomats since the wrap up of the conflict in June, which was ignited following an unexpected offensive strike by Israel. This warfare event directly hampered Iran’s diplomatic negotiations related to nuclear agreements with the United States.
Moreover, it produced a cooling effect on the overall relationship between Iran and the IAEA. Tehran has, in part, placed the blame on the UN body for the attacks made on its nuclear facilities. It has accused the IAEA of not taking an adequate stance against the aggressions targeted towards it.
Israel, on the other hand, has defended its actions by stating that the objective of these attacks was to obstruct Iran from acquiring the capability to develop a nuclear weapon. This claim by Israel is challenged by Iran, which has constantly denied harboring such ambitions.
The 2015 nuclear deal, which constituted the foundation of these ongoing discussions and tensions, suffered a significant blow when in 2018, during his inaugural term as the U.S. President, Donald Trump decided to withdraw from the agreement and imposed sanctions on Iran.
The post IAEA Inspectors Returns to Iran Amid Rising Tensions appeared first on Real News Now.
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