For UN atomic watchdog, Israel’s claims cannot be taken at “face value”
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Tehran of having a secret atomic weapons warehouse. For IAEA, Iran is complying with agreement.
Vienna (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has refused to accept at face value Israel’s accusations against Iran.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly that Iran had a secret atomic warehouse, and urged the UN atomic watchdog to inspect the site.
Without citing the Israeli leader, IAEA chief Yukira Amano insisted that the agency's independence was "of paramount importance".
The IAEA "uses all safeguards-relevant information available to it but it does not take any information at face value," Amano said in a statement. "All information obtained, including from third parties, is subject to rigorous review," he added.
Following the 2015 agreement, Iran agreed to curtail its nuclear programme and subject it to IAEA inspections, in exchange for sanctions relief.
Israel has been strongly opposed to the agreement, and was joined by the United States, which pulled out of it earlier this year.
The IAEA has repeatedly said that Iran is meeting its commitments under the deal. Amano today said that evaluations of Iran's compliance were "ongoing."
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