Iran has once again urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to adopt a clear and transparent position regarding the threats that have been made by various parties against the country’s peaceful nuclear facilities.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks to the IAEA’s visiting Director General Rafael Grossi in the capital Tehran on Wednesday.

The meeting came amid renewed Israeli threats against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

US President Donald Trump and his administration’s various officials have also threatened the Islamic Republic with the prospect of attacking the nuclear sites, echoing numerous similar menacing remarks made during successive American administrations.

Araghchi urged the United Nations nuclear watchdog to ensure it remained impartial and did not succumb to external political pressures.

The top diplomat emphasized that Iran remained committed to full cooperation with the IAEA within its international legal obligations, but stressed that the agency too had to uphold its technical and professional mandate without being influenced by undue external pressures.

The remarks concerned repeated instances of the United States and its allies’ coming up with unfounded allegations about Iran’s nuclear energy program’s “deviation” towards acquisition of “nuclear weapons.” The claims run counter to the agency’s having unexceptionally failed to found any evidence of such deviation, and Tehran’s being the body’s most-verified member.

Using the allegations, however, the Western allies have on many occasions forced the IAEA’s Board of Governors to issue anti-Iranian resolutions.

Araghchi’s remarks followed his previous calls on the IAEA to denounce threats against its nuclear sites as violations of international law and the United Nations Charter.

For his part, Grossi, who has traveled to Tehran for discussions with Iranian officials, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage in direct talks with the Islamic Republic, and underlined the significance of continued cooperation between the two sides.

IAEA chief briefed on Iran-US talks

Grossi’s visit came as Iran and the United States are engaged in indirect negotiations, mediated by Oman, regarding removal of the US’s illegal and unilateral sanctions against the country and the nuclear issue.

According to Iranian officials, Araghchi also briefed the IAEA chief on the status of the talks, with the latter welcoming initiation of the process.

Grossi additionally announced the agency’s support for the process, expressing hope for continuation of the talks until realization of positive outcomes.