President Raeisi: Iran will not back down after IAEA resolution

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi says the Islamic Republic will not back down an iota from its positions following the recent Western-drafted resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s Board of Governors against Tehran's nuclear program.

Raeisi made the remarks in a Thursday visit to Shahr-e Kord, the capital city of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, a day after the anti-Iran resolution, proposed by the US, Germany, France and Britain, was approved by the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors.

"How many times do you want to test the Iranian nation and not listen to the words of the country's officials? Do you think that we will retreat as a result of [your] issuing of resolutions?” Raeisi said in reference to the enemies of the Islamic Republic, adding, “Iran will not take a step back from its positions.”

The Iranian president underlined, "We will not stop and we will not tie the development of the country’s industry, agriculture and tourism to the frown and smile of the enemy."

Raeisi said the enemy does not want Iran to gain access to the nuclear industry, advanced military and automobile industries, and benefit from superior knowledge, “but our youths are bent to make the enemy desperate in the clash of wills.”

The anti-Iran resolution was approved by the IAEA’s Board of Governors late on Wednesday, with 30 votes in favor, two against and three abstentions.

In his introductory statement to the board meeting, Rafael Grossi, director general of the IAEA, once again repeated his anti-Iran rhetoric, alleging that since February 23, 2021, the IAEA’s “activities have been seriously affected by Iran’s decision to stop the implementation of its nuclear-related commitments under [the Iran deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] JCPOA, including the Additional Protocol.”

Grossi claimed that Tehran “has not provided explanations that are technically credible in relation to the agency’s findings at three undeclared locations in Iran.”

The trigger for the latest Western move was a report issued by the IAEA after Grossi made a controversial visit to Israel and met the regime's leaders late last month. The agency has been on the receiving end of documents supplied by Israel about Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran has rejected as fake and fabricated by MKO terrorists.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry statement denounced the resolution as a "political, wrongful and unconstructive act" against a country which "currently has one of the most transparent peaceful nuclear programs among the IAEA members."