Iran tells IAEA it is not obliged to accept full nuclear monitoring under US threat

Iran has told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it is not obliged to submit to full nuclear monitoring while it faces the threat of US military attacks, according to a report by Bloomberg. The position was set out in a 10-page letter sent to the IAEA and circulated among diplomats late last week, the report said.

In the letter, Iran argued that assaults on its nuclear facilities and the threat of renewed strikes have made normal inspections impossible. The communication hardens Tehran's position against international inspectors and comes amid heightened tensions over its nuclear programme.

The letter was circulated to diplomats in Vienna, where the IAEA is headquartered, and addresses the agency's monitoring and safeguards arrangements with Iran. It refers to the Safeguards Agreement and to condition monitoring in connection with the facilities concerned.

The report did not provide further details on the specific monitoring measures Iran said it would suspend or on the response of the IAEA and its member states. The item was described as being updated.

According to Mehr News, citing Bloomberg, the letter states that Iran is not obliged to accept full nuclear monitoring while under threat from US military attacks.