IAEA chief implementing US diktats, Americans exploiting nuclear watchdog to pressure Iran: Advisor

An advisor to the Iranian nuclear negotiating team has accused Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi of being subservient to Washington, saying he implements what the US administration dictates him.

Mohammad Marandi made the remarks in an interview with Lebanon’s Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network.

“Iran is ready to cooperate with the IAEA, knowing that its (the Agency's) latest inquiries were not serious,” Marandi said.

He went on to note that “Americans are exploiting the agency to pressure Iran. They want to keep some vague clauses in order to evade an agreement” on the revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran wants "guarantees" before signing a new agreement, the Iranian political analyst said, stressing that “Americans and Europeans are in a very difficult position that does not allow them to increase the pressure on Iran.”

AEOI chief: No undeclared nuclear activities in Iran, accusations based on Israeli misinformation

Iran

Iran and the IAEA have been locked in a dispute triggered by the agency’s Israeli-influenced accusations, which were leveled against Tehran’s peaceful nuclear activities just as the Islamic Republic and other parties to the Iran deal appeared close to an agreement on reviving the nuclear deal.

Tehran asserts that any agreement hinges on the settlement of the Safeguards issues between Iran and the IAEA, and that without settling those issues, reviving the 2015 accord makes no sense.

Marandi also pointed to Europe's energy crisis as a result of Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over its military campaign in Ukraine, saying that “Gas is of paramount importance at the present time, and Americans and Europeans are aware of the matter.”

The constantly worsening energy crisis could shatter solidarity within the European Union and lead to social turmoil, according to the executive director of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol. 

As concerns over energy shortages keep mounting, he said, the EU member states could restrict trade or stop cooperation with neighboring countries.

This will cause an extremely negative impact in terms of energy and economy and politics, Birol noted. 

Thousands take to streets in north Germany demanding launch of Nord Stream 2

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in the eastern German seaside town of Lubmin on Sunday, urging officials to put into service the halted Nord Stream 2 pipeline project that was designed to transport fuel from Russia to Germany.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the EU and the US have imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia, but the moves have backfired on the EU.

Elsewhere in his interview, Marandi commented on desecration of Islamic sanctities and acts of vandalism by rioters in the past few days, as protests have erupted in several Iranian cities over the death of a young woman.

“A huge propaganda campaign is in full effect by Persian-language media outlets against the Iranian government. A troll army and Western-backed media have waged a war against Iran,” he stated.

Protests have broken out in several Iranian cities over the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman who died at hospital a few days after collapsing at a police station in the capital Tehran, where she and a group of others were receiving educational training on dress code rules.

Despite Iranian officials’ clarification on circumstances surrounding Amini’s death, violent street protests have led to attacks on security officers and acts of vandalism against public property and sanctities.

So-called advocates of Iranians’ rights need to lift inhumane sanctions: Foreign Ministry spokesman

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has strongly condemned the US and European political leaders for their hypocritical support for the recent riots in the country.

Speaking on Friday, Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said the riots that have followed Amini's death had nothing to do with the tragic event, saying that the issue was being exploited by rabble-rousers to instigate chaos and wreak havoc across the country.

Last week, Iranian police released CCTV footage, which shows Amini collapsing in the police station.

The video rejected claims that she was beaten up, denying any physical contact against her.

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