Iran suspends implementation of Additional Protocol
Despite an agreement between the Secretary General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the authorities of the Islamic Republic, Iran has suspended the implementation of the Additional Protocol. This is despite the fact that the content of the agreement between Iran and the Agency has been considered confidential by the relevant authorities.
According to the resolution of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, if the sanctions were not lifted, the implementation of the Additional Protocol by the Iranian government was to be suspended. Rafael Grossi, the Secretary General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, had traveled to Tehran in this regard.
After his meeting with Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Grossi announced that he had reached an agreement with the Islamic Republic's authorities; an agreement that effectively postponed Iran's deadline for three months.
The official news agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, IRNA, has published a report announcing that the Iranian government has implemented the parliament's resolution.
Kazem Gharibabadi, the permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the International Atomic Energy Agency, announced on Monday, February 22: "All supplementary access to the Agency will be suspended as of midnight tonight."
Gharibabadi added: "As of 12:00 tonight, we have no such thing as commitments beyond safeguards. The necessary orders have been issued to nuclear facilities."
Suspending the implementation of the Additional Protocol practically means limiting the access and monitoring of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to Iran's nuclear facilities.
The European Troika, as well as Russia and China, had warned Iran about implementing this policy, emphasizing that taking such action could make it difficult for the United States to return to the nuclear deal.
Source: DW
