AEOI head:

Iran to stop Additional Protocol if US kills JCPOA

TEHRAN (defapress) – Iran’s nuclear chief Salehi said Tehran would stop implementing Additional Protocol if the nuclear deal is canceled, since it is a voluntary agreement and has not yet been adopted by Iranian parliament.

News ID: 66413

Date: 15 October 2017 - 12:15

Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Ali Akbar Salehi, made the remarks in televised interview on Saturday, adding "in regard to inspections under the Safeguards Agreement as well as the JCPOA, we will remain committed to our obligations like any other members to the IAEA, but of course our compliance will remain in effect as long as the agreement exists.”

In case of the cancelation of the nuclear deal, Salehi assured that Iran has not burned all the bridges behind itself, rather "we have built even more bridges to advance.”

"If Iranian authorities one day decide that the nuclear deal is no longer benefiting the country and order for the resumption of 20 per cent uranium enrichment, we can do that in four days,” he added.

Salehi went on to stress, "of course we would like for the nuclear agreement to be implemented without any obstacles. Since JCPOA, we have made such good progress in our technical activities in the nuclear sector, such as exploration and extraction, research and development, the construction of new power plants and the use of nuclear technology in the health, agriculture and industry sectors.”

"We do not want to get involved with any challenges regarding the nuclear deal, and we are asking the other sides not to force us into reaction,” he stressed.

The Iranian nuclear chief went on to highlight the country’s expanding cooperation with the European Union, announcing the construction of an advanced nuclear safety center in Iran with the help of the EU.

"For the construction of this center which will be among the most advanced in West Asia, the EU has so far allocated 9 million euros for the project and will allocate another 11 million euros in the future,” he added.

He also mentioned two or three new projects discussed with British officials during his recent trip to London, saying he would announce the details once the agreements were finalized.