Haley: Some Countries Want to Protect Iran from Increased Inspections

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, called for increased inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of Iran's nuclear facilities on Thursday, October 6. She added that some countries are trying to prevent further inspections of Iran. Haley warned that without such inspections, the nuclear agreement with Iran is an empty promise. According to Reuters, she also stated that some countries are attempting to shield Iran and protect Tehran. Haley's call for increased inspections comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is set to certify Iran's compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 15 days. The JCPOA was signed in July 2015 between Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., Russia, China, France, the UK, and Germany. Under this agreement, Iran suspended parts of its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting or suspension of nuclear sanctions against Tehran. The U.S. ambassador emphasized that it seems some countries are trying to protect Iran from further inspections. She stressed that if the nuclear agreement with Iran is to have any meaning, all parties involved must have a unified understanding of all its provisions. Haley added that Iranian officials claim they will not allow inspections of military sites, while the IAEA has stated that there is no distinction between military and non-military sites. Although the U.S. ambassador did not name the country that she claims is protecting Iran, diplomatic sources say she is referring to Russia. Meanwhile, the Director General of the IAEA called on world powers on Tuesday, October 4, to clarify a section of their nuclear agreement with Iran regarding dual-use technology that could be used in the construction of nuclear bombs. Reports indicate that Russia has opposed such a request, stating that this issue is beyond the agency's jurisdiction. According to Reuters, diplomats have said that Russia is trying to limit the agency's role regarding a significant part of this agreement. This report adds that this part of the agreement prohibits 'activities that could lead to the development of nuclear explosive devices.' Among the items listed in this section is the use of computer modeling that simulates a nuclear bomb or designs dual-use and explosive systems. Unlike many sections of the Iranian nuclear agreement, this section, known as 'Section T,' does not mention the agency or clarify how verification will take place. Russia argues that this means the agency has no role in this area. Global powers and the agency disagree with this interpretation.