Iran has appointed Reza Najafi as its ambassador to the UN nuclear watchdog, replacing Mohsen Naziri-Asl. Najafi served previously during the JCPOA agreement period. Following the US withdrawal from this agreement in 2018, tensions have escalated as Iran enriches uranium significantly, despite its denials of seeking weapons capabilities. The prospect of reviving the JCPOA faces obstacles, with contrasting sentiments from both Iranian leaders and U.S. officials.
Iran has appointed Reza Najafi as its new ambassador to several Vienna-based international organizations, including the UN nuclear watchdog. He succeeds Mohsen Naziri-Asl, who held the position since 2022, according to ISNA news agency.
Najafi is a former deputy foreign minister and previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA from 2013 to 2018, a significant timeframe during which the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was established. This agreement placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
However, the JCPOA dissolved after the US withdrawal in 2018 under President Trump, who reinstated a sanctions regime, accusing Iran of pursuing nuclear weapon capabilities. Despite Tehran’s consistent denials, it gradually scaled back its compliance with the deal after Washington’s exit.
UN atomic agency chief Rafael Grossi highlighted that Iran is enriching uranium to 60%, nearing weapons-grade levels, declaring that the 2015 agreement has become an “empty shell” and is “no longer fit for purpose.” Although Trump has indicated interest in negotiating a new deal, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has asserted that “no problem will be solved by negotiating with America.”
The appointment of Reza Najafi as Iran’s new ambassador to international organizations marks a critical moment in the nexus of nuclear diplomacy. While the JCPOA previously aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear development, its collapse and subsequent tensions have resulted in heightened scrutiny of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. Despite calls for dialogue from various leaders, fundamental disagreements remain between Iran and the United States, underscoring a complex geopolitical landscape.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
