Iran says it will work with UN nuclear watchdog but warns inspections may be risky

DUBAI - Iran plans to cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog despite restrictions imposed by its Parliament, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on July 12, but stressed that access to its bombed nuclear sites posed security and safety issues.

The new law stipulates that any future inspection of Iran’s nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) needs approval by the Supreme National Security Council, Iran’s top security body.

“The risk of spreading radioactive materials and the risk of exploding leftover munitions... are serious,” state media cited Mr Araghchi as saying.

“For us, IAEA inspectors approaching nuclear sites has both a security aspect... and the safety of the inspectors themselves is a matter that must be examined.”

While Iran’s cooperation with the nuclear watchdog has not stopped, it will take a new form and will be guided and managed through the Supreme National Security Council, Mr Araghchi told Tehran-based diplomats.

“The IAEA’s requests for continued monitoring in Iran will be... decided on a case-by-case basis by the Council with consideration to safety and security issues,” Mr Araghchi said.

Iran will not agree to any nuclear deal that does not allow it to enrich uranium, he reiterated.

Axios cited sources on July 12 as saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin had voiced support for the idea of an accord in which Tehran is unable to enrich uranium.

But Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim quoted an “informed source” as saying that Mr Putin had not sent any such message to Iran.

Speaking to the state news agency IRNA, Mr Araghchi said Iran was carefully considering the details of any renewed nuclear talks with the US and seeking assurances that Washington would not again resort to military force.

“We are in no hurry to enter into unconsidered negotiations,” he added. REUTERS