Rouhani Urges IAEA to Help Iran Develop Its Nuclear Energy Program

In a Monday meeting with visiting IAEA Director-General Yukiya Amano here in Tehran, Rouhani reminded the international body of its responsibilities and duties towards its members.

“While the IAEA endeavors to monitor nuclear activities according to its statute, it is also responsible for transferring advanced peaceful (nuclear) technologies to other countries,” the Iranian president noted.

“Iran as a committed member of the IAEA expects to be an active member at the global level in the field of peaceful and modern technologies of nuclear industry, and that the IAEA supports such a presence,” he added.

He also stressed that Tehran will continue its cooperation with the IAEA and will remain loyal to its commitments in the nuclear deal (also known as JCPOA) as long as the other sides do the same.

Amano, for his part, reaffirmed his and the IAEA’s commitment to stay away from politically-oriented stances and to adopt an unbiased and legal approach towards the implementation of JCPOA.

He further confirmed Rouhani’s remarks on the IAEA’s duties, saying the international body is not just responsible for peace, but also has responsibilities on the development of peaceful nuclear activities.

“In the new atmosphere created (after the recent implementation of the JCPOA), we can have extensive cooperation with each other in this regard,” Amano noted.

“We are interested in expanding our cooperation with Tehran in a bid to build further trust,” the IAEA chief added.

The meeting came after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief Mogherini on Saturday announced in a joint statement that the implementation of the nuclear deal finalized between Tehran and world powers back in July 2015 has officially been started.

The announcement was made after the IAEA confirmed Iran’s commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).