Iran Issues Safety Warning to Nuclear Inspectors
Iran said it was unrealistic for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to think it could come so quickly to inspect the nuclear facilities hit by U.S. and Israeli strikes, and that it could not guarantee the safety and security of inspectors.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian foreign ministry, said at a press briefing on Monday that Iran could not understand the IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's demands for a return to normal cooperation so soon after the strikes.
According to Iranian state media, Baghaei said that an IAEA resolution in May that Iran was non-compliant in its nuclear obligations became a pretext for what he called unlawful aggression by Israel and the U.S., and the United Nations watchdog should be held accountable.
He said ensuring the safety and security of IAEA inspectors is important, but Iran had not yet conducted a precise and comprehensive assessment of the extent of the damage at the nuclear sites.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is conducting a review, Baghaei said.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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