A European-sponsored International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution that paved the way to reporting Iran to the Security Council over its nuclear program “in our view has jeopardized the positive atmosphere existing between both parties,” Iran’s representative to the agency Mehdi Akhondzadeh said.
“Any action from interlocutors to further complicate the situation could have unpredictable consequences,” he cautioned, speaking at a seminar in Helsinki.
The resolution drafted by European Union negotiators Britain, Germany and France in September stated for the first time since the IAEA began investigating Iran in February 2003 that Tehran was in “non-compliance” with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), mainly for hiding sensitive atomic activities for almost two decades.
A finding of non-compliance is an automatic trigger for taking the matter to the Security Council, which can impose sanctions, but could be difficult to implement because it has no support from Russia or China.
Akhondzadeh emphasized that Iran was intent on continuing negotiations.
“Iran on numerous occasions (has) announced its readiness for the negotiations with a view to avoid confrontation, which could result in a lose-lose game,” he said.
“These negotiations should be pursued in good faith with the aim to provide further assurances that Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful,” he added.
