Iran hails European decision not to criticise it at IAEA

Iran hails European decision not to criticise it at IAEA
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman hailed the the day's developments as keeping open "the path of diplomacy" between Tehran and the UN's nuclear watchdog.
2 min read
European diplomats announced on Wednesday that the resolution would no longer be put forward [AFP]

Iran welcomed a decision by European nations on Thursday to scrap a planned resolution criticising the Islamic republic at a meeting of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.

Britain, France and Germany had planned to introduce a resolution at the IAEA board of governors meeting this week criticising Iran's suspension of some nuclear inspections.

But diplomats said the resolution, which had not yet been formally submitted to the UN nuclear watchdog, would no longer be put forward.

"Today's developments can keep open the path of diplomacy initiated by Iran and the IAEA," foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

"Iran hopes the parties participating in the agreement can seize this opportunity, with serious cooperation, to ensure the full implementation of the agreement by all," he added.

The latest moves come at a delicate moment for diplomacy on the Iranian nuclear issue, with fragile efforts underway to revive the ailing 2015 deal between Iran and world powers on its nuclear programme.

Read more: Iran warns against censure at UN nuclear watchdog

Ahead of the meeting, the Iranian authorities had warned the adoption of such a resolution at the IAEA could harm efforts by it and the international community to save the accord.

The deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, has been unravelling since former US president Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement in 2018.

Follow us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram to stay connected