The Iran Project - Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman has defended Iran's decision to withdraw the designation of several International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors, saying it was based on the Islamic Republic�s governance rights enshrined in the Safeguards Agreement between the two sides.

Naser Kanani made the remarks hours after the International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi condemned Iran for what he called its �unilateral measure� to withdraw the designation of several inspectors of the UN nuclear watchdog.

In response to Grossi�s statement, Kanani stated that Tehran had taken the measure based on the governance rights given to the country in Article 9 of the text of an agreement between the country and the agency for the application of safeguards in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

He emphasized that Iran has maintained positive and constructive cooperation with the IAEA, but accused the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the United States of exploiting the IAEA for their own political objectives.

Kanani called on Western states to refrain from misusing international organizations and allow them to conduct their activities impartially.

Iran will continue its positive cooperation within its agreements with the IAEA while expecting the agency to act impartially.