Blinken: Iran Shows No Interest in Playing a Responsible Role in Its Nuclear Program

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to reporters on Friday regarding the Iranian government's decision to ban certain inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Iran, stating that this decision indicates that Iranian officials have no interest in playing a responsible role in their nuclear program. Blinken added, "We have tried to work indirectly with Iran, European partners, and even Russia and China to bring the Islamic Republic back to the nuclear agreement, but Iran was unable or unwilling to do so." The U.S. Secretary of State criticized the Islamic Republic's actions in expelling several IAEA inspectors, emphasizing that Iran's nuclear activities are deeply destabilizing and threaten the security of countries not only in the region but beyond. He reiterated that the U.S. is determined to never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. The Director General of the IAEA also mentioned on Wednesday, September 20, during the UN General Assembly that the Islamic Republic has limited cooperation with the agency's inspection teams regarding its nuclear program in retaliation for criticisms. He stated, "I understand that they do not want any sanctions and wish to be part of the international community as a normal country, but when it comes to nuclear issues, normalcy is achieved through the IAEA, which guarantees to the international community that everything is going well in Iran." The IAEA Director General noted that it is regrettable and incomprehensible that the Islamic Republic has removed one-third of the agency's best inspectors due to "some political considerations." Earlier this week, the IAEA announced that Iran had revoked the credentials of several nuclear inspectors. At the same time, the Islamic Republic stated that this action was taken in retaliation for the "political abuses" by the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The IAEA Director General emphasized that joining the international community is facilitated through the agency. The French Foreign Minister called for Tehran's cooperation with the IAEA. The IAEA Director General warned the Islamic Republic that failure to cooperate with the agency would have consequences. The European Union expressed concern over the suspension of "several experienced inspectors" from the agency in Iran. The UN nuclear watchdog reacted strongly to the Islamic Republic's obstruction of inspectors' activities. The IAEA Director General's statement regarding the "suspension of agency inspectors by the Islamic Republic" is seen as another step in the wrong direction. Germany stated that its goal is to "prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons" and will not lift sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Borrell stated that the three European countries will not lift the JCPOA sanctions; the Islamic Republic responded that it will respond within the framework of the JCPOA.