BICOM

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei yesterday ruled out foreign inspections of sensitive sites or access to Iranian nuclear scientists, representing a serious disagreement with the international community.

Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) agreed a framework to a comprehensive nuclear deal last month, paving the way for negotiations to begin towards a long-term accord, which must be agreed by June. However, both sides have since indicated differing understandings of the nascent deal, including fundamental issues such as Iran’s use of advanced centrifuges and the pace of sanctions relief.

Meanwhile, another point of serious contention is the provision for international inspections. The framework lacks a comprehensive description on how Iran’s nuclear facilities are to be inspected during the initial 10 to 15 years of the agreement or thereafter. This is especially problematic given Iran has a long history of concealing its nuclear programme on a large scale.

Yesterday, Khamenei indicated that Iran would not permit any inspections whatsoever. He told senior commanders and military academy graduates in a televised speech yesterday, “No inspection of any military site or interview with nuclear scientists will be allowed.” He also said, “I will not allow foreigners to interview — which is tantamount to interrogation — the prominent beloved scientists and sons of this nation,” describing such a prospect as “an insult to their integrity.” Referring to the United States as the “outrageous enemy,” Khamenei claimed that Washington had made “over-demands” and called for “a strong wall of determination” against America.

Khamenei’s comments would appear to put a further strain on negotiations, with the Financial Times commenting that, “Diplomats from all sides admit that negotiating positions have drifted apart since April,” when the framework was agreed. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Ministers Abbas Araghchi and Majid Takht Ravanchi are currently engaged in three days of technical talks in Vienna with the European Union’s Helga Schmid, representing the P5+1.