TEHRAN - Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency has stated that Tehran will cooperate with the IAEA based on the provisions of the Nuclear Achievement Protection Bill.

Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh made the remarks in Tehran on Wednesday, days ahead of the launch of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which will be loaded with fuel delivered from Russia on August 21. Observers from the United Nations nuclear watchdog will supervise the process.
In response to the June 9 United Nations Security Council resolution imposing sanctions on Iran, the Iranian parliament studied and ratified a bill to protect the country’s nuclear program against the sanctions.
The Nuclear Achievement Protection Bill, which has been approved by the Guardian Council, also ensures that any inspection of Iranian ships in international waters will be reciprocated.
Soltanieh stated that Iran’s nuclear policy has always been transparent, especially with regard to its cooperation with the IAEA.
He noted that Iran is committed to its international obligations but insisted that Iran will never relinquish its legitimate rights outlined in the IAEA Statute and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
However, in some instances, in order to clear up certain ambiguities, Iran has cooperated with the IAEA beyond the requirements of the agency and the NPT, he stated.
He went on to say that Iran will continue to cooperate with the UN watchdog according to the requirements of the parliamentary ratification.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Soltanieh said that the member states of the Non-Aligned Movement are closely pursuing the new developments of Iran’s nuclear program and NAM has issued many statements voicing support for Iran.
Iran’s resistance to the West could set an example for NAM countries that decide to have a nuclear program in the future, he added