Iran to respond to IAEA resolution firmly: Nuclear chief

Tehran, IRNA – Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami has emphasized that the Islamic Republic will firmly respond to an anti-Iran resolution approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors. Eslami, who is also deputy president, noted on Sunday that as said before, the issuance of the resolution is clearly an unconstructive measure to put maximum pressure and it will not help the engaged sides to resolve the remaining issues. We had heard from IAEA Director General (Rafael Grossi) that he underlined the resolution would not be helpful for the progress of the issue, the Iranian official argued. Seemingly, the three European countries and the United States are accustomed to utilize different ways of exerting pressure, including the issuance of resolution and sanction, he added, warning that it is completely clear such pressures would bear no fruit. He further pointed to the earlier stance of the Islamic Republic on its reaction to the resolution, cautioning that the anti-Iran move would bring about a firm response from Tehran. Eslami went on to say that Iran’s nuclear program will be pursued in line with the Strategic Action Plan to Lift Sanctions and Protect Iranian Nation's Interests approved by the Iranian parliament and that numerous resolutions would not affect the nuclear plan. All programs followed up by officials at the national level are aimed at improving the welfare of the nation and making it progress, he concluded. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish