image Photo: Reuters

Iran rejects IAEA call for new nuclear deal

Iran today rejected the proposal by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi to renegotiate a new nuclear deal.

Grossi told the Reuters news agency yesterday that said there had been too many breaches by Iran for the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement to simply snap back into place when U.S. President-elect Joe Biden takes office next month.

Biden previously stated that his administration would consider rejoining the international pact, which offered sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on Tehran’s nuclear program, “if Iran resumes strict compliance.” After President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed harsh punitive measures, the Islamic Republic responded by breaching many of the accord’s restrictions.

Since that time the IAEA, which polices Iranian compliance to the JCPOA, has repeatedly accused the Islamic Republic of conducting clandestine nuclear activities.

Iran’s Ambassador to IAEA categorically rejected the suggestion by the United Nations atomic watchdog chief that revival of the JCPOA would require the striking a new agreement after the next US administration comes to power

“Presenting any assessment on how the commitments are implemented is absolutely beyond the mandate of the agency and should be avoided,” Kazem Gharibabadi tweeted, adding, “@iaeaorg played its part during negotiations on the JCPoA.”

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, considered an architect of the 2015 deal with six powers, has repeatedly claimed that his nation’s resumption of nuclear activities were reversible if Washington relifted sanctions and fully respected the pact.