Salehi: The essence of the Iran-IAEA agreement is not confidential

The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization says that the essence of the new 'memorandum' signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is 'not confidential.' According to Ali Akbar Salehi, in 'certain specific cases,' the terms of inspection methods are 'agreed upon' when representatives of this international organization visit Iran. Two days prior to Salehi's remarks on the evening of July 26, Iran's permanent representative to the IAEA stated that 'the Iran-IAEA agreement is not part of the JCPOA but contains technical issues, and its confidentiality is not a new point in the relations between the IAEA and other countries.' Salehi also mentioned in his televised speech that the IAEA will provide its opinion after conducting its inspections, while the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) continues independently of this opinion. Salehi further stated that the method of cooperation with the IAEA is a 'confidential matter.' He cited the Arak heavy water reactor as an example, where the method of inspection between Iran and the IAEA is confidential, and the results are expected to be announced by December 15 of this year. The description of the 'confidentiality' of agreements between Iran and the IAEA has sparked reactions among a group of opponents and critics of the comprehensive nuclear agreement, both in Iran and the United States. On July 22, Susan Rice, the U.S. National Security Advisor, confirmed the existence of side agreements between Iran and the IAEA but rejected claims from some Republican representatives regarding their 'secretive' nature. Among the criticisms was that sampling for the verification of Iran's nuclear program would be conducted by Tehran itself. John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, had previously emphasized that information about the content of the agreement would be communicated to representatives and senators behind closed doors. A group of Iranian conservatives in the Islamic Consultative Assembly had also asked Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, to explain the 'confidential clauses' of the agreement with the IAEA.