U.S. says Iran removing IAEA cameras would be 'extremely regrettable'

It would be regrettable and counterproductive for Iran to remove two of the U.N. nuclear watchdog's surveillance cameras as it has announced, the United States said on Wednesday as it pushed for a resolution criticising Iran at the watchdog's board.

"If accurate, reports that Iran plans to reduce transparency in response to this resolution are extremely regrettable and counterproductive to the diplomatic outcome we seek," a U.S. statement to a meeting of the 35-nation Board of Governors said ahead of a vote on the U.S.-backed draft resolution. "We do not seek escalation (with Iran)."