Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), wears a face mask as he arrives for the Board of Governors of the IAEA at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria on September 14, 2020. (JOE KLAMAR / AFP)

TEHRAN - Iran's permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations urged the UN nuclear watchdog to remain "impartial" regarding Iran's nuclear activities, Press TV reported Saturday.

Kazem Gharibabadi said there have been pressures from the United States on the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) over Iran's nuclear program.

Kazem Gharibabadi said there have been pressures from the United States on the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) over Iran's nuclear program

Despite these pressures, "the Agency shall remain independent, professional and impartial," he was quoted as saying.

"We should all reject these pressures which are detrimental to the interests of the whole international community," he noted.

ALSO READ: Iran blacklists US envoy in Yemen, reciprocating US move

On Friday, Gharibabadi said the IAEA's "sole role is to monitor and verify the voluntary nuclear-related measures (by Iran) as detailed in the JCPOA (the 2015 international nuclear deal) and to provide regular updates in this regard." 

IAEA "has no right to assess the Iranian nuclear work," he added.

His remarks came in response to the recent comments by the IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who told western media that Iran should not follow through on threats to increase uranium enrichment and throw out inspectors.   

READ MORE: European powers rebuke Iran after uranium enrichment announcement