TEHRAN, Feb 26 (NNN-IRNA) – Head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, Mohammad Eslami, said, the Islamic republic is entitled to develop its “civilian” nuclear programme, Press TV reported yesterday.
Dismissing allegations by some countries that Iran is seeking “to make an atomic bomb,” Eslami said, this is the right of his country, to develop its civilian nuclear energy programme, given that, it is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The IAEA is duty-bound to encourage and assist the development and practical application of peaceful atomic energy throughout the world, he said, adding that, however, “not only did they (IAEA) withhold help (to Iran), but they also created obstacles.”
With regard to Iran’s current negotiations with the world powers in the Austrian capital, Vienna, the Iranian nuclear chief said, the purpose of the negotiations is the removal of sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iran’s stance in this regard is clear, as “the talks are aimed at having the sanctions removed, establishing a verification regime on the removal of sanctions, and taking guarantees from the other side that they will not violate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) again,” he was quoted as saying.
Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the JCPOA, with world powers in July, 2015. However, former U.S. President, Donald Trump, pulled Washington out of the agreement in May, 2018, and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran.
Since Apr, 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in Austria’s capital, Vienna, between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, namely Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany, with the U.S. indirectly involved in the talks, to revive the landmark deal.– NNN-IRNA
