Chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami looks down as he delivers a speech during the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference, an annual meeting of all the IAEA member states, at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria on Sept 20, 2021. (JOE KLAMAR / AFP)
DUBAI – Iran will keep the UN nuclear watchdog's cameras turned off until a 2015 nuclear deal is restored, the head of the country's Atomic Energy Organisation said on Monday, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) it had removed IAEA equipment, including 27 cameras installed under the 2015 pact with world powers, after the agency passed a resolution criticizing Tehran in June.
Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) it had removed IAEA equipment, including 27 cameras installed under the 2015 pact with world powers, after the agency passed a resolution criticizing Tehran in June
"We will not turn on the IAEA cameras until the other side returns to the nuclear deal," Iranian nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said.
The 2015 nuclear pact imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear activities in return for the lifting of international sanctions. Then-president Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the deal in 2018, reimposing tough economic sanctions on Tehran.
ALSO READ: Iran's Raisi says US sanctions detrimental to global economy
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Monday accused IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi of having "unprofessional, unfair and unconstructive views" on Tehran's nuclear program.
He also added that Tehran hopes a return to the nuclear deal can be reached soon should the United States show goodwill.
"Iran is committed to talks and will continue until a good and sustainable deal is reached," Kanaani said at his weekly news conference.
Iran's nuclear program is "galloping ahead" and the IAEA has very limited visibility on what is happening, Grossi told Spain's El Pais newspaper in an interview published on Friday.
Western powers warn Iran is getting closer to being able to sprint towards making a nuclear bomb. Iran denies wanting to. Indirect talks between Iran and the United States on reviving the 2015 deal have been stalled since March.
READ MORE: Iran says nuke program 'peaceful,' no weaponry pursuit
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his disappointment to his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi at the lack of progress over talks, the Elysee Palace said on Saturday.