Iran on June 9 warned the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) not to become a political tool led by the United States, as disputes over Tehran's nuclear program continue to escalate.
Speaking at a press conference, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani stressed: “We hope that the IAEA will act on a technical and professional basis, not under the political pressure of Western countries, especially the United States.” He also urged the agency to avoid “being drawn into political games,” as that would only further complicate the situation.
The warning came after recent IAEA reports criticized Iran for lack of cooperation in explaining uranium traces at undeclared sites. Tehran insists it has cooperated fully and that the allegations are baseless, driven by the United States and its allies to pressure Iran's civilian nuclear program.
Last week, Iran also announced it would respond to any provocative actions from the IAEA or the West, warning that the adoption of a new resolution by the Board of Governors could make dialogue more difficult.
