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Iran IAEA criticism

The Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency for politicizing Iran’s nuclear program under Israel’s pressure despite extensive cooperation from Tehran. Mohammad Eslami was speaking a week after the IAEA Board of governors adopted a resolution accusing Iran of failing to fully cooperate with the agency. Eslami rejected that, saying the allegation had been orchestrated by Israel to impede Iran’s nuclear progress. He said IRAN provided the agency with clarifications regarding its nuclear activities as part of trust-building measures. The IAEA resolution was submitted by the US, UK, Germany and France. Iran’s foreign minister has accused the US of pushing for the resolution to gain more concessions from Iran in indirect talks over the 2015 deal.

Scottish independence

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon begins a new campaign for a second independence referendum despite objections from the British government. Sturgeon was addressing a press conference in the Scottish capital Edinburgh. She revealed the paper that outlines her vision for a future independent Scotland. Sturgeon who was re-elected in last year’s parliamentary elections said people’s vote created an indisputable democratic mandate for the Scottish authorities. She is planning to hold the vote before the end of 2023. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly refused to grant permission for a referendum. But the Scottish leader says she will move ahead with her plans even without London’s consent. The first referendum on Scotland’s independence took place in 2014 when 55% of Scots said no to the change in the status quo.

Post-Brexit tensions

The Northern Ireland protocol stipulated in the Brexit deal still remains a sticking point between the UK and the EU. Now the British Foreign Secretary claims that London’s plan to override some post-Brexit trade rules does not break international Law. Truss added, there is no reason for the EU to take legal action over the UK’s plans to change parts of the agreement. That after the bloc threatened against London's unilateral revision of Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade arrangements. On Monday, Britain introduced legislation which would remove customs checks on some goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. London says the changes are necessary to improve trade and reduce bureaucratic red-tape. But the 27 members EU calls it a violation of the deal. The EU commission has said it is considering re-opening a suspended infringement procedure against Britain, adding that it will not re-negotiate the deal.

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