Salehi: We Will Not Accept Any Special Inspections of Nuclear Sites

As negotiations continue between Iran and the 5+1 group in Vienna, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization emphasized that Iran will not agree to 'special inspections' of its nuclear sites and announced the signing of a protocol that, if finalized, will allow Russia to produce nuclear fuel in Iran. According to the Tasnim news agency, Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, stated on Wednesday evening, November 28, in a television program that Iran has been implementing the Additional Protocol for two and a half years, adding: 'We do not accept any type of inspection or process that is special.' He clarified: 'All mechanisms are in place, therefore we do not accept to be treated as a special country in this regard, as the highest executive authority in the country emphasizes this matter.' Salehi's remarks come as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on November 16 that, following requests from the UN Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors, Iran has refused to implement the Additional Protocol, which allows for surprise inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities. Based on the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which was signed during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami but was not ratified by the Islamic Consultative Assembly, IAEA inspectors would be allowed to inspect Iran's nuclear facilities whenever they deem necessary. Salehi also denied the transfer of Iran's nuclear fuel to Russia and announced the signing of a protocol between the two countries that, if finalized, will allow Russia to produce nuclear fuel in Iran. He added: 'The Russians will help Iran so that together they can produce all fuel or parts of the fuel at our request with Iran's participation in Iran.' The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization also mentioned: 'We were supposed to produce the fuel for the Arak reactor, of which we have made part, but currently it has been halted due to negotiations.' The American newspaper New York Times reported on Tuesday, November 12, that Iran has accepted in a 'temporary agreement' to transfer 'the majority' of its enriched uranium to Russian territory. However, Iranian officials have denied this news. Salehi also announced the signing of a contract between Iran and Russia for the construction of two new reactors at the Bushehr power plant. According to the state news agency IRNA, he stated that this contract was signed based on a protocol signed between the two countries in 1992. According to Salehi, based on this protocol, Russia is committed to building four reactors in Bushehr. The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization emphasized: 'Some in the media portray it as if the Bushehr power plant has not yet been launched, while this plant has produced seven thousand kilowatts of electricity.' Ali Akbar Salehi had traveled to Russia on Tuesday, November 20.