CAIRO: Iran said Monday (Jun 2) it will not accept a nuclear agreement that deprives it of what it calls “peaceful activities”, a reference to uranium enrichment, as it pressed the United States for guarantees it will drop sanctions.
Uranium enrichment has remained a key point of contention between the foes, in talks to seal a nuclear deal since April, with Iran defending what it says is its pursuit of a civil nuclear programme but with the US side calling it a “red line”.
Speaking in Cairo, where he met the UN nuclear watchdog’s chief Rafael Grossi, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: “If the goal is to deprive Iran of its peaceful activities, then certainly no agreement will be reached.”
Araghchi insisted that Iran has “nothing to hide” on its nuclear programme.
“Iran has a peaceful nuclear programme … we are prepared to provide this assurance to any party or entity,” he said.
The remarks came after Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday called for more transparency from Iran following a leaked report that showed Tehran had stepped up uranium enrichment.
The IAEA report showed that Iran has stepped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent – close to the roughly 90 per cent level needed for atomic weapons.
“There is a need for more transparency – this is very, very clear – in Iran, and nothing will bring us to this confidence (besides) full explanations of a number of activities,” Grossi said ahead of meeting Araghchi.
Grossi added that some of the report’s findings “may be uncomfortable for some, and we are … used to being criticised”.
Iran has rejected the report, warning it would retaliate if European powers that have threatened to reimpose nuclear sanctions “exploit” it.
“Some countries are trying to abuse this agency to pave the way for escalation with Iran. I hope that this agency does not fall into this trap,” Araghchi said of the IAEA.
