Tehran, IRNA - The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says a Western plot to use the UN nuclear watchdog to ramp up pressure against Iran has backfired, leading instead to increased cooperation between Tehran and the agency.

“The enemies were trying to use the capacity of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to put maximum pressure against Iran. But through sound policy and management, their plan to create confrontations between Iran and the agency turned into interactive relations,” Mohammad Eslami told cabinet members on Sunday.

Iran and the IAEA have been in a dispute triggered in part by accusations from the Israeli regime and the United States against Tehran’s peaceful nuclear activities. 

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visited Tehran last month for high-level talks with Iranian officials, including with Eslami and President Ebrahim Raisi, in an effort to resolve the differences. 

In a joint statement, the two sides agreed that bilateral interactions will continue in a spirit of collaboration and in full conformity with obligations under the comprehensive safeguards agreement.

“These meetings and interactions between Iran and the IAEA are still ongoing,” Eslami said, adding that “The IAEA has confidence in Iran's nuclear program and would not have to worry about a lack of knowledge in this regard.”

He pointed out that the maximum pressure campaign by the West has been aimed at forestalling Iran’s nuclear progress. “However, they have no choice but to accept this reality that Iran is a nuclear power.”

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