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September 10, 2022
18:16 pm
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Paris – Vienna – Archyde.com
France, Britain and Germany expressed frustration on Saturday at Iran’s demand in talks to revive a 2015 nuclear deal that the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency should close an investigation into uranium traces found at three sites, adding that it would jeopardize the talks.
Earlier this month, Iran sent its final response to the proposed text from the European Union, to revive the agreement under which Tehran restricted its nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and the United Nations.
Diplomats said Iran’s response to the European Union chief was a step backwards as it sought to link the revival of the deal to the closure of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s investigations into the traces of uranium found.
“This last demand raises serious doubts about Iran’s intentions and commitment to a successful outcome of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” said the three countries, known as the European Trio, referring to the full name of the nuclear deal.
The three countries added, “Iran’s position contradicts its legally binding commitments, and threatens the prospects for reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.”
In 2018, then-US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement and reimposed US sanctions, prompting Iran to begin violating restrictions on its nuclear program under the deal, renewing US, Arab and Israeli fears that it might seek to build an atomic bomb. Iran denies any nuclear ambitions.
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors meets on Monday, three months after it already adopted a resolution urging Iran to provide answers to the agency.
The agency said, on Wednesday, that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium to up to 60 percent, close to that needed to make nuclear weapons, has increased to a level sufficient, if enriched, to make a nuclear bomb. Tehran has not yet provided conclusive answers about the source of the uranium particles.
“Given Iran’s failure to reach an agreement, we will consult with international partners on how best to deal with Iran’s ongoing nuclear escalation and non-cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency regarding the safeguards agreement of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,” the European Union said.
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