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Iran Accuses IAEA of Leaking Nuclear Documents | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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This picture taken 14 November 2007 shows a view of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna. AFP PHOTO/JOE KLAMAR


London – A week after the release of confidential information on its nuclear program, Iran continues its protests with the spokesman of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi confirming that Tehran will file a complaint with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

AEOI head Ali Akbar Salehi said that his country has asked the IAEA to keep Iran’s nuclear plans confidential.

Salehi stressed that Iran had no intention of publicizing the program, noting that its announcement is regarded as a breach of commitments.

“We do not intend to announce the plan ourselves. If the other side does it, it will be a breach of promise, but then again, our people will be informed about our correct and appropriate predictions in regard to the development of our nuclear industry,” he declared.

He did however say, “Of course, we have agreed to confidentially inform the joint commission related to the JCPOA about the plan.”

Salehi accused P5+1 of breaching the agreement concerning its nuclear program.

Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported Kamalvandi as saying that the parts published were confidential and were supposed to remain so. He added: “Our assumption is that it has been leaked by the (IAEA) Agency.”

Kamalvandi ensured that Tehran will lodge a protest with IAEA.

Earlier last week, the Associated Press news agency (AP) exposed what is considered a classified document which revealed that key restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program imposed under an internationally negotiated deal will start to ease years before the 15-year accord expires.

According to the leaked document, Iran will install centrifuges up to five times as efficient as the 5,060 machines it is now restricted to using. Those new models will number less than those being used now, ranging between 2,500 and 3,500, depending on their efficiency which will allow Iran to enrich at more than twice the rate it is doing now. This however could allow Iran to make a nuclear bomb before the deal is over.

AP acquired the documents through a diplomat whose work has focused on Iran’s nuclear program for more than a decade. Its authenticity was confirmed by another diplomat who possesses the same document.

AP didn’t reveal the identity of both diplomats who demanded anonymity.

Recently, Iran had welcomed IAEA’s reports about the execution of the nuclear agreement. Yet, the leak of the confidential documents could affect Iran’s relation with the IAEA who is expected to respond to the accusations

Before an agreement was reached, Iran refused to grant inspectors access to certain sites, but Vienna agreement conditioned that IAEA will investigate whether the nuclear power is used for military purposes.

Director General of the IAEA Yukiya Amano visited the Parchin site amid threats from Revolutionary Guards leader to pour melted lead into the eye whoever enters the sites.

According to the agreement between Tehran and IAEA, shall the IAEA decide to enter nuclear sites, it has to file a request to Tehran including the names of the inspectors. Iran has the right to grant or deny access to the site.

Last week, both Iranian President Hasan Rouhani and Speaker Ali Larijani declared that Iran could return to enriching uranium.

Larijani went beyond that and asked the AEOI to present the parliament with a project to build a nuclear plant for enrichment.

Observers believe that the release of the document will ease the pressure on Rouhani and the negotiating team inside the country, especially before the presidential elections.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif called the agreement “a matter of pride.”