IAEA calls for in-person session on Iran nuclear issue

France, Britain and Germany, all parties to Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have submitted a draft to the IAEA Board of Governors calling on Iran to allow intrusive inspections of two nuclear sites in the country, diplomats taking part in an IAEA virtual meeting were cited as saying Thursday, Reuters reported.

The board prefers to adopt resolutions by consensus, meaning without a vote as long as no one opposes.

Diplomats said Russia had told the board it saw no need for a resolution but China voiced clear opposition, prompting the board’s chairwoman to call an in-person meeting on Friday for further discussions and possibly a vote.

“Certain countries, while pushing ahead the draft resolution, have denied the peril of such a move. This is a classic case in point of an ostrich policy, totally irresponsible,” China said in a statement to the board earlier on Thursday.

China said pressing what it called a “non-urgent” issue with a resolution could eventually lead to action by the UN Security Council and “the ultimate termination” of the deal, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Bloomberg reported on Monday that the document urges the Islamic Republic to “fully cooperate” with the IAEA investigation of its nuclear facilities and “expresses serious concern that, for over four months, Iran has denied access to the agency under the Additional Protocol.”

The European resolution — which is reported to have firm backing from the US — could be passed by consensus or face a vote by the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors. 

Iran says such a resolution is based on anti-Iran allegations raised by Israel and serves American goals.

Succumbing to Washington’s pressure, the three European countries have so far failed to honor their commitments under the nuclear agreement and offset the impacts of US sanctions, which were re-imposed on Iran following the US' withdrawal from the deal in May 2018.

message end/