Lawmaker Slams IAEA’s Political Approach 

Reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency about Iran’s nuclear activities are prepared with a political approach and flout the principle of impartiality and professionalism, an Iranian lawmaker said. 
“Persistence of this course will prompt the Islamic Republic to show mutual behavior,” Mohammad Hassan Asafari told ICANA, without elaborating.  
The IAEA has raised questions about uranium particles that it claims have been found at three old undeclared sites in Iran. 
Iran dismisses the claim, saying the questions are based on fabricated intelligence. 
It also maintains that the investigation looks into old issues that had already been settled before the signing of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 
Tehran, however, provided explanations to the agency based on an agreement in March, which the director general reported as “uncredible”, paving the way for the passing of a resolution against the country by the IAEA Board of Governors in June. 
“When they inspect any place that they request, they must also comply with the principle of honesty in their reports,” Asafari said.
With new push from western countries, the 35-nation board passed another motion in November, urging Tehran to cooperate with the IAEA on clarifying the nuclear material. 
The lawmaker highlighted Iran’s compliance with international regulations in all its nuclear activities, adding that the Islamic Republic has even taken a step further to show good will. 
Besides the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, Iran also agreed to voluntarily implement the Additional Protocol under the 2015 deal. 
Asafari stressed that the agency must be sensitive about the activities of all countries, not merely Iran which has been subject to most extensive inspections among all member states. 
Tehran responded to both resolutions by new advancements in its nuclear activity, but also seeks to address the issue through dialogue with IAEA officials at the same time. 
Experts from the agency visited Tehran last week to discuss the outstanding issues and a trip by Director General Rafael Grossi is set to be arranged after the New Year Holidays. 
“It is expected that after a visit by the IAEA delegation and consultations about the safeguards issues and future cooperation, we won’t see any questions about ambiguous issues,” Asafari said.
He expressed hope that with Grossi’s future trip, the outstanding issues will be resolved and no anti-Iran case will remain open any longer. 
Tehran has also demanded the closure of the IAEA probe as a prerequisite for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal. 
The JCPOA, which offered sanctions relief to Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program, unraveled in 2018 when the United States withdrew and reimposed tough sanctions, prompting Tehran to row back on its commitments. 
Negotiations have been underway since early 2021 to work out how both sides can resume compliance, but have been stalled for months over final differences, including the IAEA investigation.