‘We do not believe that attacking nuclear facilities—with the risks it poses to the region—can be called self-defense,’ Salerno said

On Monday, Venezuelan Ambassador Claudia Salerno strongly criticized U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that they have “incalculable consequences” not only for Iran but also for the international nonproliferation regime.

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Speaking on the sidelines of an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, she denounced a “double standard” in the global response to such attacks.

Salerno also criticized the U.S., Germany, France and the United Kingdom, which two weeks ago pushed for an IAEA resolution condemning Iran for failing to meet its nuclear monitoring obligations. She argued that these four nations are now violating their own resolution: the U.S. by bombing Iran, and the European countries by failing to condemn the ongoing actions as wrong.

“The double standard should not exist here. Europe cannot be concerned only about preserving its own nuclear security while ignoring the other situation. Israel and the U.S. are not just bombing nuclear facilities—they are bombing the entire institution and its founding principles,” Salerno said.

The text reads, “On June 19, in Caracas, Venezuela, a powerful march of the revolutionary people in solidarity with Iran and Palestine, against the war, and in favor of peace. The mercenary press will not show you this.”

“The safeguards system itself and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) are at risk,” the Venezuelan representative warned, dismissing Israel’s justification that it feels existentially threatened by Iran’s nuclear program.

“We also do not believe that attacking nuclear facilities—with the risks it poses to the Persian Gulf region—can be called self-defense. Self-defense cannot be based on presumption. The IAEA director has been clear and emphatic: There are no nuclear weapons in Iran at this time. That is the reality,” Salerno said.

“And yet, this unprecedented attack in the history of this organization has been launched despite that reality,” she added, calling for “an immediate halt to the bombings” and demanding a detailed report from IAEA Director Rafael Grossi on the situation.

“The only path forward is peace diplomacy, respect for existing treaties and respect for the mandates of this institution,” the Venezuelan representative concluded.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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