Saudi Arabia’s King Salman said in an interview that Iran must cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the global community if the 2015 nuclear deal is to be revived.
Iran’s ongoing nuclear advancements and the recent crackdown on protests have prevented efforts to preserve the agreement from progressing.
According to the Saudi state news agency, “We call on Iran to urgently fulfil its nuclear obligations [and] co-operate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency,” reported King Salman as saying.
King Salman, who addressed the Shura Council in a video link at the council’s opening, urged Iran to ‘take serious steps to build confidence amongst its neighbours and the international community.’
The International Atomic Energy Agency said last week that Iran is rapidly expanding its capacity to enrich uranium at the Natanz underground facility and that Tehran is now pursuing a more ambitious nuclear program than previously envisioned.
Attempts to revive the agreement have stalled, but Tehran has activated an increasing number of advanced centrifuges that were barred from producing enriched uranium under the agreement.
Donald Trump, the US president at the time, pulled his country out of the nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran in 2018.
Iran breached the nuclear restrictions imposed by the deal in response.
Iran will have to put its advanced centrifuges into storage if the deal is resuscitated, diplomats said.
Iran has long been denying that it is attempting to build a bomb, asserting that its nuclear activities are peaceful.
Saudi Arabia is prepared to act as a mediator in international disputes and conflicts, King Salman said.
King Salman expressed complete backing for all efforts towards establishing a permanent truce in Yemen.
King Salman praised those who want to advance a political process between the internationally recognised government and the Iran-supported Houthi militias.
Image Credit: Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP, File
