Defiant Iran Rebuffs IAEA and Escalates Tension with the West

Edith Novy

After the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) adopted a resolution on November 27, which urges Iran “to comply fully and without delay with its obligations” (http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Documents/
Board/ 2009/gov2009-82.pdf)
, Iran blatantly disregarded international opinion. Iran’s leaders not only failed to answer questions, it threatened to expand its nuclear program and to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Iran provided three major responses:

First, Iranian officials launched several accusations against the IAEA and, specifically Western governments, in order to discredit the resolution. They stated on November 30 that “the resolution was not that of the IAEA, but in fact the P5+1 are behind the resolution.”
(http://isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1448051&Lang=E). Claiming that the IAEA Board of Governors favors the West in the decision-making process, Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Asqar Soltanieh, said on November 30 that, “the structure of the Board of Governors has been molded in such a way that gives Western states the majority votes and so the ability to manipulate the Agency’s activities.”
(http://www.presstv.ir/classic/Detail.aspx?id=112485&sectionid=351020104)

An Iranian lawmaker slammed the IAEA Board of Governors on November 30, saying the body only obeys the orders of “global arrogance,” which is a reference to Western states. (http://presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=112477&sectionid=351020104)

And Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast rejected the resolution the same day it was issued, saying it was passed “with insistence and political ambitions of certain member states.” “We think that this [resolution] is politically motivated and only aimed at exerting pressure on Iran,” he asserted. (http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=112324&sectionid=351020104)

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottki stated on November 30 that it is not possible to “find any logical reason for the Board of Governors’ decision.” He called the resolution “discrimination” and the “law of the jungle.” (http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=112517&sectionid=351020104)
Following this criticism, the Iranian parliament urged the government to reduce cooperation with the 5+1 and the IAEA. (http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8809081531)

Second, Iran has issued hostile warnings against any change in policy toward Iran by Western governments. Parliament speaker Ali Larijani said on November 30: “We will closely monitor your next steps and if you do not abandon the ridiculous carrot and stick policy, we will take a new approach towards you.” (http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1448051&Lang=E)

Third, Iran announced over the weekend that it will start with the construction of 10 more nuclear enrichment facilities within the next two months “in response to (the) West’s offensive measures”. (http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8809091305)

Statements by Ali Larijani and a senior lawmaker raise suspicions that Iran could withdraw from the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT). According to Larijani, it does not matter “whether you are a member of the NPT or pull out of it.” >a href = http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/11/30/92793.html> (http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/11/30/92793.html)
Parliament member Hassan Ghafourifard stated on November 29, in an interview with state-sponsored television, that “there might be no use to stay in the NPT” if the West refuses to understand Iran’s position. (http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=107441&sectionid=351020104)

Timeline of nuclear negotiations with Iran (September 2009 – November 2009)

September 21, 2009 Iran informs IAEA about a second nuclear enrichment facility at Fordo, 20 miles north of Qom
October 1, 2009 Iran meets with the 5+1 group in Geneva
Agreement is reached to meet again before the end of October
Iran agrees “in general” to ship low-enriched uranium abroad and to open its new enrichment plant near Qom to UN inspection
October 19, 2009 Iran wants France to be excluded from the potential nuclear deal since “it has failed in fulfilling its previous responsibilities regarding [nuclear] cooperation with Iran.”
October 20, 2009 Iran wants guarantees for nuclear fuel delivery
October 19- 21, 2009 Iran meets with the 5+1 group in Vienna
October 19, 2009 Iran announces that it would buy nuclear fuel rather than receiving it in exchange to export low-enriched uranium
October 23, 2009 Iran misses the deadline to respond officially to the IAEA and postpones an official answer to the IAEA proposal.
The IAEA statement said: “Iran informed the Director General today that it is considering the proposal in depth and in a favorable light, but needs time until the middle of next week to provide a response.”
October 27, 2009 Iran demands “fundamental changes” to the nuclear deal
November 2, 2009 Western powers urge Iran to accept the deal as it stands
November 18, 2009 Iran verbally rejects the nuclear deal. Confusion arises if this is an official rejection.
November 27, 2009 IAEA Board of Governors passes resolution which urges Iran to immediately stop construction of its Fordo nuclear enrichment plant and to ““to comply fully and without delay with its obligations.”
November, 29, 2009 The Iranian parliament urges the government to reduce cooperation with the IAEA
November 30, 2009 Iran slams the IAEA resolution as being “discriminatory” and announces it will build 10 more nuclear enrichment facilities.
Additionally, it raises suspicion that it could withdraw from the NPT.
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