Tehran is refusing to collaborate with an International Atomic Energy Agency investigation into its nuclear stockpiles, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing unnamed Western diplomats.
According to the report, this was the first time Iran had refused to cooperate with the IAEA since oversight took effect in 2016.
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The revelation is expected to aggravate concerns over the fate of the 2015 nuclear agreement, believed by many to be on its last legs since the US unilaterally withdrew last year and began re-imposing sanctions on Iran.
According to the diplomats quoted, Iran appeared to ignore requests for clarifications regarding allegations first voiced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Islamic republic had rebuilt a dismantled site in the Turquzabad district of Tehran in order to resume its nuclear activity, using materials developed in the past.
Also Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov joined visiting Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in welcoming European efforts to save the nuclear accord, while criticizing Washington's stance.
Government spokesman Ali Rabiei also suggested Iranian President Hassan Rouhani could meet US President Donald Trump if it served Iran's interests while cautioning there was no need to meet an "agitator" in the current circumstances.
"In the past few weeks, there have been serious negotiations" between Rouhani and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as talks with other European nations, said Rabiei.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS.
