🔻Rafael Grossi: Regardless of the resolution, cooperation with the agency is in Iran’s interest

🖋Behrang Tajdîn, the BBC Persian correspondent dispatched to Vienna

🔻If the draft resolution proposed by the Western countries is approved by the Board of Governors and Iran’s nuclear file is referred to the UN Security Council, diplomatic tensions between the two sides will enter a new phase.

At a press conference by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, I asked Mr. Grossi what impact he thinks referring the file to the Security Council would have on the Agency’s efforts to resume inspections of facilities in Iran that are under dispute. Mr. Grossi avoided answering directly to this question, but emphasized that if the Islamic Republic moves toward cooperation with the Agency, the risk of the resumption and escalation of war would be less.

According to Mr. Grossi: “The best and fastest way to reach a positive outcome is for Iran to engage with us. If Iran enters into a serious dialogue with us and if providing access begins—with due regard for security concerns and confidentiality—I am sure and I guarantee to you that this will have very positive results.”

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency believed that if cooperation with the Agency begins, Western countries would “protect and support” this process, and that it “helps peace, not war.”