Racing Int’l Demands Ask Tehran to Resume Nuclear Negotiations

The logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seen at their headquarters during a board of governors meeting (Reuters)
The logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seen at their headquarters during a board of governors meeting (Reuters)
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Racing Int’l Demands Ask Tehran to Resume Nuclear Negotiations

The logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seen at their headquarters during a board of governors meeting (Reuters)
The logo of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is seen at their headquarters during a board of governors meeting (Reuters)

World states partaking in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference are demanding that Iran cooperates with the UN nuclear watchdog and resume negotiations in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

Meanwhile, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is still waiting on an Iranian confirmation for his upcoming visit to Tehran.

In his opening remarks at the conference, Grossi voiced hope in rebooting cooperation with Tehran.

Grossi said he hoped to be in Tehran “very soon to address these pressing matters that will provide the necessary assurances to the world that there is no concern and also pave the way for other important diplomatic efforts which are needed to come to a satisfactory situation when it comes to the nuclear program in Iran.

On the sidelines of the conference, Grossi held discussions with the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami.

Grossi had traveled to Tehran for a quick visit about ten days ago. Hours after his visit, the IAEA chief announced that Iran had agreed to allow IAEA inspectors to maintain surveillance cameras in its nuclear facilities.

Concerning his upcoming visit to Iran, Grossi said that he had an agreement with Iranian officials but did not reveal the trip's date.

He said he hoped to “return soon” to Tehran to complete talks with Iranian officials.

The European Union (EU), which is mediating indirect nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran, expressed its concern about Iran’s continued violation of the nuclear agreement and its “irreversible repercussions” related to the nuclear technology it acquires.

It urged Iran to immediately return to negotiations and reverse its violations of the nuclear agreement.

The EU also pressed Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA without delay or conditions to resolve outstanding issues.

To date, Iran is accused of failing to provide conclusive and credible answers to questions related to inspectors finding traces of enriched uranium in secret sites.



ICC Warrants are Binding, EU Cannot Pick and Choose, Borrell Says

23 May 2023, Israel, Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement in the Knesset. (dpa)
23 May 2023, Israel, Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement in the Knesset. (dpa)
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ICC Warrants are Binding, EU Cannot Pick and Choose, Borrell Says

23 May 2023, Israel, Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement in the Knesset. (dpa)
23 May 2023, Israel, Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement in the Knesset. (dpa)

European Union governments cannot pick and choose whether to execute arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against two Israeli leaders and a Hamas commander, the EU's foreign policy chief said on Saturday.

The ICC issued the warrants on Thursday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged crimes against humanity.

All EU member states are signatories to the ICC's founding treaty, called the Rome Statute.

Several EU states have said they will meet their commitments under the statute if needed, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has invited Netanyahu to visit his country, assuring him he would face no risks if he did so.

"The states that signed the Rome convention are obliged to implement the decision of the court. It's not optional," Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, said during a visit to Cyprus for a workshop of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists.

Those same obligations were also binding on countries aspiring to join the EU, he said.

"It would be very funny that the newcomers have an obligation that current members don't fulfil," he told Reuters.

The United States rejected the ICC's decision and Israel said the ICC move was antisemitic.

"Every time someone disagrees with the policy of one Israeli government - (they are) being accused of antisemitism," said Borrell, whose term as EU foreign policy chief ends this month.

"I have the right to criticize the decisions of the Israeli government, be it Mr Netanyahu or someone else, without being accused of antisemitism. This is not acceptable. That's enough."

Israel's 13-month campaign in Gaza has killed about 44,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly all the enclave's population while creating a humanitarian crisis, Gaza officials say.

In their decision, the ICC judges said there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant were criminally responsible for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as a weapon of war as part of a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza".

The warrant for Masri lists charges of mass killings during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Israel says it has killed Masri.