Iran must cooperate with UN nuclear watchdog, European powers urge
"We call on Iran to cooperate with the IAEA on all relevant matters."
By REUTERS, EZRA TAYLOREU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Mogherini takes part in meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Brussels, Belgium, May 15, 2018(photo credit: YVES HERMAN/REUTERS)
European nations said on Friday they are concerned of a further erosion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), following a warning from Tehran that pressure from the U.S. and Israel could jeopardize the agency's activities in Iran.France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini “strongly urge Iran to reverse all activities” which break the terms of the JCPOA, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, the powers said in their first joint statement since an IAEA briefing earlier this week."The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed in its report of Sept. 8 that advanced centrifuges had been installed or were being installed in Natanz. "We are deeply concerned by these activities," the European powers said in the joint statement."We continue to support the JCPoA (nuclear accord) and urge Iran to reverse its activities that violate its JCPoA commitments, and to refrain from all further action." "We call on Iran to cooperate with the IAEA on all relevant matters."On Monday the IAEA, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, increased pressure on Iran, saying there is no time to waste in answering its questions, which diplomats say include how traces of uranium were found at a site flagged by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite it not being declared to the agency.
