Debate Renews Between Iran, US at IAEA Meeting

Debate renewed Monday between representatives of the United States and Iran on the 2015 nuclear deal, during a meeting for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

According to Reuters, US Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette said that Tehran was still not offering the IAEA explanations regarding the discovery of uranium particles in a warehouse near Tehran.

“We call on Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA in monitoring and inspecting Iran's facilities, and in addressing all of the agency's questions,” Brouillette added.

Separately, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said the US killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani has weakened the fight against ISIS in the region.

The Associated Press quoted Salehi as saying that last month's drone strike that killed Soleimani showed “the US administration has not yet come to its senses in recognizing the realities on the ground.” He called him “the most instrumental element in combating ISIS.”

Tehran retaliated by launching a barrage of missiles on two Iraqi military bases hosting American troops in Iraq. There were no fatalities. Salehi reiterated, however, that Iran was prepared to do more.

“Be it known as my country strongly retaliated once, it will never hesitate to strike back when necessary,” he said.

The US last month added new sanctions on the AEOI and on Salehi himself, freezing any assets the director had within US jurisdiction.