IAEA Cameras to Be Uninstalled If Sanctions Remain After 3 Months

EghtesadOnline: Cameras installed by the International Atomic Energy Agency at the Iranian nuclear sites will be uninstalled if sanctions are not removed in three months, Iran's top nuclear official has said.

News ID: ۷۸۶۱۳۶

01 March 2021

Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, made the statement in a state TV program on Friday, IRNA reported.

On Feb. 23, Iran stopped the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol to its Safeguards Agreement with IAEA, in compliance with a parliamentary law. However, surveillance cameras are to remain for another three months based on an agreement between Iran and the agency.

“IAEA will be denied access to cameras during this period, unless American sanctions are removed by then,” Salehi said.

“The recorded data will be deleted and cameras will be uninstalled, if sanctions are not lifted [after this deadline].”

Iran reached the understanding with IAEA during Director General Rafael Grossi’s emergency visit on Feb. 21.

The United States has reimposed tough sanctions on Tehran after its withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran is scaling back its commitments, but maintains that all moves will be reversed once the sanctions are effectively removed.