US-Iran nuclear deal will promote peace in Middle East: Grossi

The effect of a stabilized situation in Iran with regards to its nuclear programme will be immediate and bring the Middle East one big step closer to peace and prosperity, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.

“I call upon Iran urgently to cooperate fully and effectively with the International Atomic Energy Agency,” Grossi said in his introductory statement to the agency’s Board of Governors. “Unless and until Iran assists the Agency in resolving the outstanding safeguards issues, the Agency will not be in a position to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.

I am convinced that the only way forward goes through a diplomatic solution, strongly backed by an IAEA verification arrangement. I will continue to support and encourage the US and Iran to spare no effort and exercise wisdom and political courage to bring this to a successful conclusion. The effect of a stabilized situation in Iran with regards to its nuclear programme will be immediate and bring the Middle East one big step closer to peace and prosperity,” he said.

Grossi said that over the past months he has been working closely and intensively with both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America through active consultations in support of their bilateral negotiation to find a “mutually acceptable agreement that ensures the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.”