TEHRAN – Iran’s atomic
energy chief on Wednesday praises the country’s progress in developing radiopharmaceuticals, especially those for fighting cancer, rejecting “lies” spread by the occupying regime of Israel about diversion Tehran’s nuclear activities.
Speaking to reporters, Muhammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said the Islamic Republic has significantly boosted radiopharmaceuticals at home, which now act more accurately in detecting diseases and fighting cancer.
Iran now ranks the fifth in the world for developing radiopharmaceuticals, he said, adding the Islamic Republic has been exporting the products to nine countries.
Elsewhere, he referred to accusations leveled by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under the Israeli influence about the existence of “undeclared” nuclear sites and activities in Iran.
“They themselves know that the accusations are big lies, but they used them as a pressure lever against the Islamic Republic. In their official documents… they have admitted that there is no sign of any deviation in the nuclear program, and there is continuing interaction with the agency,” he said.
“We are not locked in any standoff with the Agency,” said the official, adding that preparations are underway for a visit by IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi to Iran next month.
On Tuesday, Grossi said, “I might be back in Tehran… in February, perhaps, for a much-needed political dialogue, or reestablishment thereof, with Iran.”
Regarding talks about restoring the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, formerly known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Grossi pointed to a “big, big impasse” on the matter, claiming that Iran’s pullback from it – including disconnecting 27 IAEA cameras monitoring its declared nuclear sites in response to anti-Iran measures – meant that the IAEA was no longer effectively monitoring Tehran’s nuclear program.
“I’ve been blind on this aspect for at least a year,” he added.
Grossi stated he hoped to “be making some progress” on restoring cooperation with Iran during his planned visit.