TEHRAN: Iran has called on the Group of Seven (G7) to distance itself from the “destructive policies of the past,” following a statement by the G7 condemning Iran’s recent escalation of its nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani responded on Sunday, labeling the G7’s comments as politically biased and unconstructive.
The G7, in a statement issued on Friday, warned Iran against further advancing its nuclear enrichment program. The group also hinted at the possibility of enforcing new measures if Tehran were to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia.
“Any attempt to link the war in Ukraine to the bilateral cooperation between Iran and Russia is an act with only biased political goals,” Kanaani asserted. He accused some countries of using “false claims to continue sanctions” against Iran, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to its existing partnerships.
This exchange follows a recent resolution passed by the United Nations nuclear watchdog’s 35-nation Board of Governors, which called on Iran to enhance its cooperation with the watchdog and reverse its decision to bar certain inspectors. In retaliation, Iran swiftly installed additional uranium-enriching centrifuges at its Fordow site and began setting up others, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Kanaani stated that Tehran remains committed to “constructive interaction and technical cooperation” with the IAEA, despite considering the resolution as “politically biased.”
Iran is currently enriching uranium to a purity of up to 60 percent, which is close to the 90 percent required for weapons-grade material. According to IAEA standards, Iran now possesses enough enriched material that, if further refined, could potentially produce three nuclear weapons.
