Amano's remarks, insult to all IAEA inspectors: Salehi

Tehran, Sept 14, IRNA – The AEOI chief said here on Tuesday that the recent remarks made by head of the UN nuclear watchdog not only damages its reputation but also is an insult to other agency’s inspectors.

Ali-Akbar Salehi, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, made the remarks while talking to IRNA referring to statements made by Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukia Amano on Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

Amano had accused Iran of hampering the agency’s work in the country by barring experienced nuclear inspectors.

Iran says two inspectors banned from entering the country had provided false information about its nuclear work citing its right to refuse certain inspectors under its non-proliferation accord with the IAEA.

Amano has made a big mistake by making such remarks, he said, adding that such moves prove that he is under political pressures.

Salehi reiterated that the agency had some 150 inspectors and when Amano insists on only two of them and says that they are the only experienced ones, he insults other inspectors.

He stressed that it is right of all countries to select certain inspectors as several Western states omit some Asian inspectors from their own list.

During his election campaign, Amano had vowed to remain independent and not be influenced by any country or power, Salehi said, regretting that his performance has so far proved that he does not move within the framework of the agency.

He emphasized that instead of presenting a technical and legal report, Amano issues copies of the UN Security Council’s anti-Iran resolutions./end