“The Islamic Republic of Iran, while expressing regret over the publication of this report, which was prepared for political purposes through pressure on the Agency, expresses its clear objection to its content. This report goes beyond the scope of the duties assigned to the Director General and is in conflict with the professional requirements governing international institutions, including the principle of impartiality,” said a joint statement from Iran’s foreign ministry and the country’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI).
A report by the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Saturday said that Iran has stepped up its production of highly enriched uranium to up to 60 percent in recent months, AFP reported.
The IAEA statement said it is “of serious concern” that Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent has reached an estimated 408.6 kilograms as of May 17, an increase of 133.8 kilograms since February.
Iran further accused the United States and three European powers of lacking sincerity in preserving the UN nuclear watchdog’s credibility, alleging they are exploiting it for political purposes.
The statement accused the IAEA of relying on “extensively forged documents provided by the Zionist regime” and repeating “biased and baseless accusations” in its latest report, saying the claims stem from decades-old allegations about undeclared sites and activities that Tehran insists “do not exist.”
It added that the move violates the agency’s professional verification standards by allegedly relying on and citing “unreliable and misleading information” from Israel - a non-signatory to the NPT.
Iran warned that if certain countries exploit its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog or use the latest report to undermine its transparency, Tehran will take “appropriate measures” to defend its legitimate rights, holding those countries “fully responsible for the consequences.”
Earlier on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran remains resolute in its rejection of nuclear weapons.
Western powers have long accused Tehran of seeking to acquire a nuclear weapon despite top officials repeatedly stating that such arms have no place in the Islamic republic’s doctrine.
Washington’s negotiator, Steve Witkoff, has said that Iran must agree to zero uranium enrichment, that the US “could not authorize even one percent” enrichment by Tehran.
Iran has emphasized that the talks will fail if the US sticks to this demand.
Indirect, Oman-mediated talks between Tehran and Washington began on April 12, with the fifth and most recent round held on May 23.
The revived talks mark the most substantial engagement between the two sides since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal under which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
In 2018, President Trump, during his first term in office, withdrew the US from the agreement and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran. In response, Tehran gradually scaled back its compliance with the deal.
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