Iran protests IAEA silence on Saudi, Israeli nuclear activities
Iran's ambassador to Geneva has protested the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s silence over the covert activities of the Saudi nuclear activities and Israeli nuclear weapons system, saying the agency's double standards have called into question its credibility and professional neutrality.
Iran Press/ Europe: "While the Israeli regime, as the sole holder of nuclear weapons in the region, continues to openly violate international law and strengthen its nuclear arsenal, Saudi Arabia's nuclear program is also complicating the situation in the region," Esmaeil Baghaei-Hamaneh told a session of the UN Conference for Disarmament on August 14, 2020, at the United Nations offices in Geneva.
He called on the Saudi ambassador to address the concerns of the international community instead of making false statements and blaming others for all the mistakes and crimes committed by Riyadh with US support in the region.
Iran’s ambassador stated that Saudi Arabia, despite being a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has not fulfilled its obligations in this regard, adding that the lack of transparency and cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors has raised serious concerns about the dimensions of Saudi Arabia's nuclear program.
He called on Riyadh officials to respect the country's commitments under the NPT and safeguards agreements and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency's inspection system.
Baghaei-Hamaneh also called on the IAEA to carry out its inspection and verification duties and report on Saudi nuclear activities.
The Iranian ambassador also called on Saudi Arabia to act as a responsible actor in the region and to stop the brutal killings of the Yemeni people, terrorism, and extremism that have devastated some Arab countries in the region, and to allow the countries of the region to build collective trust and deep neighborly relations, and to live in peace and tranquility.
Baghaei-Hamaneh called the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the Zionist regime inherently evil actors who are trying to destroy Iran's multilateral nuclear deal and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 by disrespecting international law.
He referred to the remarks made by the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at a recent meeting of the UN Security Council, adding that the international community is facing an important decision in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, In a letter to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Democrat Congressman Brad Sherman called on the White House to answer questions regarding Saudi Arabia's nuclear program.
Sherman expressed concern about Saudi Arabia's nuclear activities and called for a ban on activities and actions that could increase Saudi Arabia's ability to acquire nuclear weapons.
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