International envoys and representatives arrived in Iran today to begin their tour of Iranian nuclear facilities.
ISNA reported that the international delegates which included a number of representatives from Non-aligned Movement, the head of the Group of 77 who is also the Algerian ambassador in the International Atomic Energy Agency, a representative of the Arab League, along with the Syrian and Venezuelan ambassadors visited the heavy water reactor in Arak.
The group is also scheduled to visit Iran’s uranium enrichment plant in Natanz.
Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran’s representative in the IAEA had said that envoys from 120 countries were participating in the tour of the Iranian nuclear facilities. He said Russia and China had welcomed this positive initiative on Iran’s part but could not attend due to time conflicts.
Last week Iran extended an invitation to representatives from the G5+1 as well as the Group of 77 and the Non-aligned Movement to visit its nuclear facilities.
EU foreign affairs chief declined the invitation, while China and Russia, having primarily expressed interest in the tour, decided to forego the tour.
Iran maintains that the tour is aimed at revealing Iranian goodwill in its nuclear intentions and “emphasize transparency” in its program which they have repeatedly stated is geared toward peaceful aims.
The tour was set up at the threshold of the new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the G5+1 representatives in Istanbul.
Ali Akbar Salehi, caretaker of Iranian foreign ministry and head of Iranian nuclear agency told ISNA that Iran will also launch a number of its medical and industrial nuclear achievements during this visit.
