Iran will not give nuclear site images to IAEA
(VOVWORLD) - Tehran will not hand over images from inside its nuclear sites to the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA because a monitoring agreement with the agency has expired, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Iran’s parliament, said Sunday.
 Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf (right) visits the Fordo nuclear facility January 28, 2021. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
On Friday, the IAEA demanded an immediate reply from Iran on whether it will extend the monitoring agreement, prompting an Iranian envoy to respond that Tehran was under no obligation to provide an answer.
Iran said Wednesday that its Supreme National Security Council will decide whether to renew the monitoring agreement after it expires.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that any failure by Tehran to extend the agreement will be a “serious concern” for broader negotiations.
The nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, signed in 2015 restricts Tehran’s nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.
The US withdrew from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Tehran responded by narrowing its commitment to the deal, including IAEA monitoring of Iran’s nuclear activities.