U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi on Saturday condemned Iran's "disproportionate and unprecedented" move to bar multiple inspectors assigned to the country, hindering its oversight of Tehran's atomic activities.

Iran's move is a response to a call led by the United States, Britain, France and Germany at the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors this week for Tehran to cooperate immediately with the IAEA on issues including explaining uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

Grossi made clear, however, that he believed Iran had overreacted.

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"I strongly condemn this disproportionate and unprecedented unilateral measure which affects the normal planning and conduct of agency verification activities in Iran and openly contradicts the cooperation that should exist between the agency and Iran," he said in a statement.

Iran's move, known as "de-designation" of inspectors, is allowed; member states can generally veto inspectors assigned to visit their nuclear facilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and each country's safeguards agreement with the agency governing inspections.

But the IAEA said Tehran's decision went beyond normal practice. It said Iran had told it that it would bar "several" inspectors, without giving a number.

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"These inspectors are among the most experienced agency experts with unique knowledge in enrichment technology," the agency said. "With today's decision, Iran has effectively removed about one third of the core group of the Agency's most experienced inspectors designated for Iran."

Iran defended its move and accused the United States, Britain, France and Germany of politicising the IAEA watchdog.

"Unfortunately, despite Iran's positive, constructive and continuous interaction of the with the agency, the three European countries and the United States abused the (IAEA's) Board of Governors for their own political purposes," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani told state media.

"Of course, Iran will continue its positive cooperation within the framework of the agreements that have been made, and emphasise the necessity of the agency's neutrality," he added.

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A Vienna-based diplomat said Iran had de-designated all the French and German members of the IAEA inspection team. There were already no U.S. or British members.

"This measure, while formally permitted by the NPT Safeguards Agreement, has been exercised by Iran in a manner that affects in a direct and severe way the ability of the IAEA to conduct effectively its inspections in Iran," the IAEA said.

Grossi added: "I call upon the Iranian Government to reconsider its decision and to return to a path of cooperation with the Agency."

The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi on Saturday condemned Iran's "disproportionate and unprecedented" move to bar multiple inspectors assigned to the country, hindering its oversight of Tehran's atomic activities.

U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi on Saturday condemned Iran's "disproportionate and unprecedented" move to bar multiple inspectors assigned to the country, hindering its oversight of Tehran's atomic activities. Iran's move is a response to a call led by the United States, Britain, France and Germany at the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors this week for Tehran to cooperate immediately with the IAEA on issues including explaining uranium traces found at undeclared sites. Grossi made clear, however, that he believed Iran had overreacted. Also Read | Libya: Aid groups warn of disease risk as country struggles to recover from flood "I strongly condemn this disproportionate and unprecedented unilateral measure which affects the normal planning and conduct of agency verification activities in Iran and openly contradicts the cooperation that should exist between the agency and Iran," he said in a statement. Iran's move, known as "de-designation" of inspectors, is allowed; member states can generally veto inspectors assigned to visit their nuclear facilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and each country's safeguards agreement with the agency governing inspections. But the IAEA said Tehran's decision went beyond normal practice. It said Iran had told it that it would bar "several" inspectors, without giving a number. Also Read | 'Up to South to change rules of game': G77+China urges for new global order at Cuba Summit "These inspectors are among the most experienced agency experts with unique knowledge in enrichment technology," the agency said. "With today's decision, Iran has effectively removed about one third of the core group of the Agency's most experienced inspectors designated for Iran." Iran defended its move and accused the United States, Britain, France and Germany of politicising the IAEA watchdog. "Unfortunately, despite Iran's positive, constructive and continuous interaction of the with the agency, the three European countries and the United States abused the (IAEA's) Board of Governors for their own political purposes," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani told state media. "Of course, Iran will continue its positive cooperation within the framework of the agreements that have been made, and emphasise the necessity of the agency's neutrality," he added. WATCH | Libya: Death toll mounts, search ops continue × A Vienna-based diplomat said Iran had de-designated all the French and German members of the IAEA inspection team. There were already no U.S. or British members. "This measure, while formally permitted by the NPT Safeguards Agreement, has been exercised by Iran in a manner that affects in a direct and severe way the ability of the IAEA to conduct effectively its inspections in Iran," the IAEA said. Grossi added: "I call upon the Iranian Government to reconsider its decision and to return to a path of cooperation with the Agency." The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

IAEA chief Grossi condemns Iran's 'unprecedented' barring of inspectors

Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Thursday reiterated condemnation of the&nbsp;ongoing violence in Myanmar, as an intensifying conflict there tests the unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Myanmar, one of the bloc's 10 members, has been beset by fighting since the military seized power in early 2021 before unleashing a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy opponents, prompting retaliatory attacks by a resistance movement and ethnic minority armies.

"We strongly condemned&nbsp;the continued acts of violence, including air strikes, artillery shelling, and destruction of public facilities,"&nbsp;ASEAN's top diplomats said in a joint communique released late on Thursday after an unexplained delay.

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Meeting chair Indonesia had on Wednesday urged the group's foreign ministers to remain united in tackling the escalating violence in Myanmar.

Myanmar's military leaders have refused to implement a five-point peace plan, which calls for a halt to violence and inclusive dialogue and was agreed shortly after they mounted their coup, and Malaysia had called for stronger condemnation.

The ministers also "urged all parties involved to take concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence, denounce any escalation, and create a conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogue."

The ministers&nbsp;said they discussed the South China Sea, where several members have overlapping maritime claims with China, the region's increasingly powerful neighbour.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi attended&nbsp;ASEAN-related meetings in Jakarta this week and also held bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

WATCH |&nbsp;ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet: Myanmar, South China Sea dispute to dominate talks

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Without naming China,&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;foreign ministers said, "Concerns were expressed by some Ministers on the land reclamations, activities, serious incidents in the area, including actions that put the safety of all persons at risk."

Rifts within&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;over Myanmar were highlighted when Thailand invited Myanmar military officials to a meeting last month aimed at "re-engaging" with the junta.

Junta officials have been barred from high-level&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;meetings due to the lack of progress on the five-point plan.

Most&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;members shunned the meeting, which Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai defended, saying his country was suffering in terms of its border, trade and refugee problems.

Pramudwinai said on Wednesday that he had recently met Myanmar's jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the first foreign official to be granted access to the Nobel laureate since her detention by the military more than two years ago.

The&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;ministers said they were "briefed by Thailand on its recent activities on Myanmar, which a number of&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;Member States viewed as a positive development."

Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, made up of loyalists to Suu Kyi's ousted administration, has discouraged&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;from engaging with the junta unless it releases all political prisoners.

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Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Thursday reiterated condemnation of the ongoing violence in Myanmar, as an intensifying conflict there tests the unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Thursday reiterated condemnation of the ongoing violence in Myanmar, as an intensifying conflict there tests the unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Myanmar, one of the bloc's 10 members, has been beset by fighting since the military seized power in early 2021 before unleashing a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy opponents, prompting retaliatory attacks by a resistance movement and ethnic minority armies. "We strongly condemned the continued acts of violence, including air strikes, artillery shelling, and destruction of public facilities," ASEAN's top diplomats said in a joint communique released late on Thursday after an unexplained delay. ALSO READ | Crisis in Myanmar dominates talks at ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting Meeting chair Indonesia had on Wednesday urged the group's foreign ministers to remain united in tackling the escalating violence in Myanmar. Myanmar's military leaders have refused to implement a five-point peace plan, which calls for a halt to violence and inclusive dialogue and was agreed shortly after they mounted their coup, and Malaysia had called for stronger condemnation. The ministers also "urged all parties involved to take concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence, denounce any escalation, and create a conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogue." The ministers said they discussed the South China Sea, where several members have overlapping maritime claims with China, the region's increasingly powerful neighbour. China's top diplomat Wang Yi attended ASEAN-related meetings in Jakarta this week and also held bilateral talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. WATCH | ASEAN Foreign Ministers meet: Myanmar, South China Sea dispute to dominate talks Without naming China, ASEAN foreign ministers said, "Concerns were expressed by some Ministers on the land reclamations, activities, serious incidents in the area, including actions that put the safety of all persons at risk." Rifts within ASEAN over Myanmar were highlighted when Thailand invited Myanmar military officials to a meeting last month aimed at "re-engaging" with the junta. Junta officials have been barred from high-level ASEAN meetings due to the lack of progress on the five-point plan. Most ASEAN members shunned the meeting, which Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai defended, saying his country was suffering in terms of its border, trade and refugee problems. Pramudwinai said on Wednesday that he had recently met Myanmar's jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the first foreign official to be granted access to the Nobel laureate since her detention by the military more than two years ago. The ASEAN ministers said they were "briefed by Thailand on its recent activities on Myanmar, which a number of ASEAN Member States viewed as a positive development." Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government, made up of loyalists to Suu Kyi's ousted administration, has discouraged ASEAN from engaging with the junta unless it releases all political prisoners. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

ASEAN foreign ministers strongly condemn ongoing airstrikes, shelling in Myanmar

India has strongly condemned the attack on two Indian fishing boats by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and warned the neighbouring country to not repeat such "heinous" act.

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"India strongly condemns the deliberate attack and firing on Indian fishermen on board two Indian fishing boats by a Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) vessel on April 12, 2020," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

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One fisherman was injured in the attack, the ministry said, adding that India has called upon Pakistani authorities to instruct its forces to refrain from such acts of unprovoked violence.

"The deplorable act by PMSA of firing at fishing vessels and causing bodily harm to an Indian fisherman is in contravention of all established norms and practices.

Pakistani authorities are called upon to instruct its forces to refrain from such acts of unprovoked violence," it added.

India has strongly condemned the attack on two Indian fishing boats by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and warned the neighbouring country to not repeat such "heinous" act.

India has strongly condemned the attack on two Indian fishing boats by Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and warned the neighbouring country to not repeat such "heinous" act. Also read: Denial of food to Hindus, Christians in Pakistan 'reprehensible': US govt "India strongly condemns the deliberate attack and firing on Indian fishermen on board two Indian fishing boats by a Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) vessel on April 12, 2020," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Also read: Covid-19 cases in Afghanistan surge to 714, IMF gives debt relief One fisherman was injured in the attack, the ministry said, adding that India has called upon Pakistani authorities to instruct its forces to refrain from such acts of unprovoked violence. "The deplorable act by PMSA of firing at fishing vessels and causing bodily harm to an Indian fisherman is in contravention of all established norms and practices. Pakistani authorities are called upon to instruct its forces to refrain from such acts of unprovoked violence," it added.

India condemns attack on its fishing boats by Pakistani forces

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