Iran says nuclear accord void if IAEA backs resolution

AFP: Iran warned Thursday than an accord with the European Union over its nuclear programme would become void if the UN watchdog adopted an EU resolution calling on Tehran to halt sensitive fuel cycle work. “The Paris accord will become void if the resolution proposed by the Europeans is adopted,” said Mohammad Saidi, deputy head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation. AFP

TEHRAN – Iran warned Thursday than an accord with the European Union over its nuclear programme would become void if the UN watchdog adopted an EU resolution calling on Tehran to halt sensitive fuel cycle work.

“The Paris accord will become void if the resolution proposed by the Europeans is adopted,” said Mohammad Saidi, deputy head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation.

“The European resolution is unacceptable and we reject it,” he said.

The EU resolution to the International Atomic Energy Agency calls on Iran to halt the nuclear fuel cycle work it resumed this week despite warnings from the West, which fears Tehran is seeking to build atomic weapons.

Iran signed an accord with the EU in Paris in November under which it agreed to suspend certain activities including uranium conversion and enrichment for the duration of negotiations aimed at securing guarantees that Tehran’s programme is purely peaceful.