IAEA representative to visit Iran, but Tehran to not allow nuclear inspections
Photo: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi (Getty Images)
IAEA deputy director general to visit Tehran for talks on further cooperation, but no visits to the country’s nuclear sites are planned.
This was stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to the politician’s Telegram page and Reuters.
According to him, talks with the IAEA will take place in Tehran on Monday, August 11, to define the future framework of cooperation.
"A Deputy Director General of Grossi will come to Tehran tomorrow, while there are no plans to visit any nuclear sites until we reach a framework. We have not yet reached a new agreement, and cooperation will not begin," Araghchi said.
The minister noted that Iran has already provided the IAEA with the necessary explanations regarding the new framework for bilateral cooperation, taking into account the law passed at the end of June by the country’s parliament and the Guardian Council to suspend cooperation with the Agency.
Earlier, the semi-official Fars news agency reported that the IAEA would be visited by the deputy director general and head of the Department of Safeguards, Massimo Aparo.
Suspension of Iran-IAEA cooperation
At the end of June, US airstrikes hit several hard-to-reach sites of Iran’s nuclear program in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, including facilities housing uranium enrichment centrifuges.
Following the operation, the US announced the destruction of Iran’s nuclear program.
In response, on June 25, Iran’s parliament approved a bill to halt the country’s cooperation with the IAEA. Tehran will follow this decision until the security of its nuclear facilities and scientists is ensured.
In addition, Tehran announced its intention to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
In late July, the media reported that a delegation of IAEA international inspectors would visit Iran.
