The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, revealed on 1 February that over a quarter of the 2,000 inspections carried out worldwide by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the past three years were conducted in Iran.

“There are 21 nuclear facilities in Iran, while there are 730 facilities in the world, meaning that a quarter of the IAEA’s inspection rounds around the world are dedicated to Iran,” Eslami said in a press statement.

“The agency shows concern about our programs, so it is clear that its language is the language of enemies,” he added.

In addition, Eslami criticized the signatories of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for failing to fulfill their obligations, stressing that it “was a two-sided deal.”

“When the other side does not abide by its obligations and does not lift the embargo measures, there is no reason for Iran to adhere to its obligations,” he said.

The AEOI chief also addressed a planned trip by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to Tehran, saying that the visit needs planning and requires an outline of its goals, stressing that the organization “is continuing its dealings with the International Atomic Energy Agency and that there is no deviation in the nuclear program.”

While Iran made up one-quarter of all IAEA inspections in the past three years, inspectors have never been allowed to visit Israel’s nuclear facilities.

Israel’s nuclear capabilities have never been revealed; however, various foreign intelligence services estimate Tel Aviv’s stockpile to stand between 100 and 200 nuclear warheads, while the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) estimates that the country has around 80 nuclear warheads.

In June 2021, Qatar called for the IAEA to inspect Israel’s nuclear facilities.

The kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the UN and International Organizations in Vienna, Sultan bin Salmeen al Mansouri, said that Israel was the only country in West Asia that has refused to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

“Qatar strongly supports the rule of law in international relations as a basic guarantee for creating a peaceful and stable international environment that enhances opportunities for sustainable development for all peoples,” the Qatari official said.