Russian Permanent Representative calls anti-Iran resolution short-sighted for IAEA

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, has confirmed Iran's right to respond to "politically motivated" moves by Western countries after Britain, Germany and France initiated a resolution against Tehran at the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on November 29.

"We oppose this resolution for two main reasons. First, it is politically untimely and irrelevant. It is fraught with dangerous consequences that could undermine cooperation between Iran and the agency, as well as cause escalation around the Iranian nuclear issue in general... Second, we firmly believe that this resolution and, in particular, the request it contains for the IAEA director general to prepare a comprehensive and updated assessment of Iran's nuclear program is extremely detrimental to the IAEA safeguards mechanism," Ulyanov said in an interview.

According to him, the resolution demonstrates the willingness of the majority of Western countries on the board to circumvent the principles and provisions of safeguards by imposing a politically motivated agenda on the IAEA director general. Ulyanov said that such practice threatens any states, although the safeguards mechanism should remain transparent and objective.

The Russian Permanent Representative also emphasized that Iran has the right to respond to such actions, but expressed hope that Tehran would find it reasonable to continue cooperation with the IAEA, including work on outstanding issues, within the framework of the agreements reached during the recent visit of the agency's head.

Earlier, on November 23, the governments of the United States, Britain, France and Germany supported the IAEA resolution against Iran. It is specified that the resolution accused Iran of failing to provide the IAEA with information on the use of nuclear materials. The countries also expressed "serious concern" about Iran's decision to launch new centrifuges in response to the resolution.

The day before it became known that Iran intends to launch new centrifuges for uranium enrichment after the IAEA resolution. The agency noted that the specialized structures of Iran have already warned at various levels that the actions are politically motivated and aimed only at confrontation.

On November 21, in connection with the lack of cooperation on the nuclear issue, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution criticizing Iran. It is specified that the US told the IAEA board of deep concern over Tehran's nuclear activities, while London, Paris and Berlin added that the nuclear program could threaten world security.

On November 20, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said that Iran had begun preparations to stop building up its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%. He specified that the IAEA and Tehran were still discussing the issue.