Spokesman: IAEA drops decision to adopt anti-Iran resolution

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has dropped its previous decision to adopt an anti-Iran resolution over the country’s reduction of commitments under a landmark nuclear deal with world powers after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord and re-imposed the “toughest ever” sanctions on Tehran.

“The draft resolution was dropped due to extensive diplomatic efforts in Tehran, Vienna and the capitals of all members of the [IAEA] Board of Governors, particularly the three European countries, and through the cooperation of China and Russia,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Thursday.

Khatibzadeh expressed hope that the development would keep open the path of diplomacy initiated by Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency and prepare the ground for the full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – the Iran nuclear agreement – by all parties to the deal.

“Iran hopes that the participant parties to the JCPOA would be able to seize this opportunity and guarantee the full implementation of the JCPOA by all sides through serious cooperation,” he added.

The remarks came after a US-backed draft resolution that voiced “serious concern” about Iran’s reduced cooperation with the IAEA was scrapped in a bid to make room for diplomacy. Britain, France and Germany had lobbied for the IAEA Board of Governors to adopt the resolution, but they were faced with a strong backlash from Iran.

On February 23, Iran halted its voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol that allowed the IAEA to carry out short-notice inspections at its nuclear facilities. Later, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visited Tehran to discuss the issue. During his visit, Tehran and the IAEA reached a technical understanding that was embraced by both sides.