According to IRNA reporter at the UN, Linda Thomas Greenfield made anti-Iran remarks during the Security Council’s meeting on the topic of nuclear non-proliferation.
Greenfield fell short of mentioning Washington's own nuclear weapons but said the global framework that has restrained nuclear weapons for years is under increasing pressure.
She then turned her focus toward Iran, claiming it has continued to develop parts of its nuclear program without any credible civilian justification and failed to cooperate with the IAEA for over five years.
Russia, China and North Korea were among several other countries the US envoy to the United Nations spoke about, ranging from their military to nuclear prowess.
Greenfield’s anti-Iran rhetoric came despite repeated statements by Tehran and the IAEA that the two sides are in constant touch to develop coordination.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi is also planning to visit Tehran to attend the 30th National Nuclear Conference in Iran and an event marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Atomic Agency Organization of Iran (AEOI).
The UN nuclear watchdog, in its several reports, has already appreciated Iran’s “exemplary cooperation”, saying the two sides resolved several technical issues and kept talks ongoing to deal with other issues.
However, Washington and its western allies remain concerned about Iran's nuclear program and uranium enrichment beyond the level stipulated under the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
On the first day of the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018, Iran reduced its commitments based on Articles 26 and 36 of the landmark accord. But Tehran has, time and again, said that it would reverse its enrichment if JCPOA signatories abide by its commitments and the US removes all the sanctions it imposed on Iran.
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