International Atomic Energy Agency calls on Iran to return to dialogue immediately to prevent crisis

THE International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called today Iran to resume the dialogue “immediately” in order to prevent a major crisis which would make the rescue of the Iranian nuclear program.

Tehran announced this week its decision to withdraw 27 cameras that allowed international inspectors to monitor its nuclear activities, in response to a Western decision already denouncing Tehran’s lack of co-operation with the UN agency.

“As I speak to you, these cameras have been removed,” he said. “It’s very, very serious,” he said.

“Recent history teaches us that it is never good to start saying to international inspectors, ‘Go back to your homes.’ “When you take this path, things usually go wrong,” he warned.

Grossi called on Iranian leaders to “immediately return to the negotiating table.” “We have to rectify this situation, we have to keep working together,” he said. in the presence of IAEA inspectors “.

Grossi explained that in the absence of these cameras, the IAEA will not be able to say soon whether Iran’s nuclear program continues to be intended for civilian use – otherwise nothing can guarantee that Iran is not building an atomic bomb. And even if the Iranians reconnect their cameras in a few months, what they will have done during this time will remain a secret, which could make any deal that governs their activities futile.

However, this new escalation comes at a time when the United States and other major powers are working with Iran to salvage the 2015 deal aimed at preventing the Islamic Republic from acquiring the weapon.

“By making these decisions, restarting an agreement becomes extremely difficult,” the IAEA chief warned.