Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization head, Mohammad Eslami, has stated that the country will continue its peaceful nuclear program despite foreign pressure. This comes after the UN Security Council voted to reimpose sanctions on Iran, following the triggering of the “snapback” mechanism by Britain, France, and Germany. The mechanism is part of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement between Iran and world powers.
The reimposition of sanctions has led to Iran halting cooperation on nuclear inspections, derailing a recent agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to resume inspections of Iranian nuclear sites. Eslami accused the West of double standards and repeated violations of past agreements, emphasizing that Iran has always fulfilled its commitments unilaterally. He also condemned the US for consistently trying to harm Iran through sanctions, aggression, and conspiracy.
Eslami dismissed recent US calls for Tehran to dismantle its uranium enrichment program, stating that remarks from US officials are of no importance to Iran. He claimed that Iran’s nuclear program is and has always been peaceful, and denied that recent US-Israeli airstrikes had crippled the program. According to Eslami, while some people and buildings may have been eliminated, the knowledge and expertise of Iranian scientists remain intact.
Russia and China have opposed the sanctions, with Russia’s UN envoy stating that the snapback procedure is not recognized as legal. Tehran has argued that over 130 countries have condemned the attacks on its nuclear facilities, demonstrating international support for Iran’s position. Eslami reiterated that Iran remains ready to negotiate but will not abandon its rights, emphasizing that the nuclear program will continue under Iranian control despite sanctions, strikes, and threats.
The development has significant implications for regional and global security, as well as the future of the JCPOA agreement. The international community is watching closely as the situation unfolds, with Iran’s commitment to its nuclear program remaining a point of contention. As tensions escalate, the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue becomes increasingly pressing.
