DUBAI (UAE) – An Iranian newspaper owned by the government has warned that radical actions in the nuclear standoff with the West may lead to the nation’s isolation. This comes after Tehran put an end to snap probes by UN inspectors.
Kazem Gharibabadi, who is Iran’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, said the nation had ended the Additional Protocol at midnight (2030 GMT) on Monday. It allowed the agency to carry out snap inspections.
The daily flayed hardline lawmakers who protested on Monday against the country’s decision to permit “necessary” monitoring by UN inspectors for up to three months, saying it violated a law passed by parliament to pressure the US to ease curbs.
“Those who say Iran must take swift tough action on the nuclear accord should say what guarantee there is that Iran will not be left alone as in the past… and will this end anywhere other than helping build a consensus against Iran?” the daily said.
The IAEA reached a deal with Iran to cushion the impact of Tehran’s reduced cooperation and refusal to allow snap probes.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that the country might enrich uranium up to 60% purity if needed, reiterating a denial of any Iranian intent to seek nuclear arms.
According to a US State Department spokesman, his comments sounded like a threat. However, he reiterated his nation’s willingness to hold discussions with Iran about returning to the 2015 nuclear pact.