EU Rebukes Iran Over Nuclear Inspections Ahead of Vienna Talks

(Bloomberg) -- The European Union said it’s “deeply concerned” about Iran’s decision to limit international inspections of its nuclear facilities and urged the Islamic Republic to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, according a statement published by the bloc on its website.

The rebuke comes as world powers prepare to convene in Vienna for the next round of talks aimed at restoring the 2015 nuclear deal that limits Iran’s atomic activity in exchange for sanctions relief. The statement expressed “deep regret” that Iran hasn’t provided the IAEA with an explanation for atomic activity at undeclared locations.

Iran Inspections Show High Stakes for Vienna Nuclear Diplomacy

IAEA inspectors had their power to call surprise visits curtailed in February after Iran’s parliament passed a law suspending the agency’s so-called Additional Protocol -- a powerful set of international monitoring measures. Iran says it will restore the inspections once the U.S. rejoins the nuclear deal and it’s fully revived.

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