The U.S. Rejects Disagreement with Three European Countries over Iran's Nuclear Program

The United States announced that it will act in coordination with its European allies in the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors regarding Iran's nuclear program. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, responded on Tuesday, June 5, to questions about reports of U.S. opposition to a resolution from the three European countries, stating: "We have taken significant actions in the Agency in the past and are prepared to do so in the future." He further explained: "You will see the U.S. position when the resolution is published, but I don't think you should expect us to be out of sync with the European troika, which are our allies." The three countries, France, Britain, and Germany, criticized Iran's lack of cooperation with the Agency in a draft resolution submitted to the Board of Governors on Monday. According to two diplomats cited by AFP, the submission of this critical resolution against Iran was confirmed. Reuters also reported that the draft submitted on Monday again called for clarification regarding uranium particles found at three undeclared sites of the Islamic Republic, similar to two years ago. The Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported last week that the U.S. did not support the resolution against Iran and called for avoiding escalation of tensions with Iran. Meanwhile, France announced that in a phone conversation between Emmanuel Macron and the Israeli Prime Minister, Paris assured that it would pressure Iran alongside its partners to respect its international obligations. The French presidency stated on Tuesday that the President expressed his "deep concern" about the trajectory of Tehran's nuclear program during his call with Benjamin Netanyahu. This comes as the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization warned against any "political pressure" on the Islamic Republic following the submission of a draft resolution by Western powers criticizing Tehran's lack of cooperation with the Agency. Mohammad Eslami reacted on Tuesday, June 5, to Western countries' attempts to pass a resolution against the Islamic Republic in the Board of Governors, stating: "If they issue a resolution or apply political pressure, we will certainly respond." He stated that Iran's nuclear activities are "within the framework of national law, safeguards, and the NPT." He added, "If their report shows discrepancies, it is because they did not fulfill their obligations under the JCPOA, and they need to return to their commitments; we will also fulfill our commitments." Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stated on Monday, June 4, at the beginning of the Board of Governors meeting that he is "deeply sorry" that Iran has not yet decided to lift its ban on the presence of experienced Agency inspectors, despite his visit to Tehran last month. Additionally, an Iranian parliament member claimed on Tuesday that the three European countries are seeking to apply "psychological pressure" on the Islamic Republic ahead of Iran's early presidential elections. Abolfazl Zohrehvand told ISNA that Britain, France, and Germany are following a scenario designed by the U.S.