Iran renews cooperation with IAEA under new framework

The Iranian regime inked an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday to resume cooperation and allow renewed inspections of its nuclear sites under a new framework.

It comes after months of suspension following Iran’s 12-day war with Israel in June, which included Israeli and American attacks on the country’s nuclear infrastructure, and subsequent parliamentary legislation halting collaboration.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi signed the deal in Cairo. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty participated in the meeting.

Grossi called it “an important step in the right direction,” as quoted by France24, adding, “this is a door we are opening.”

During a joint press conference with Grossi and Abdelatty, Araghchi said, “Today, I and the IAEA director general hold a final round of negotiations to finalize the understanding on how to conduct Iran’s safeguards commitments in light of the developments following the unlawful attacks on Iran’s nuclear installations.”

The framework was “fully consistent” with the new law, which stipulates that nuclear inspectors would require authorization from the country’s top security body in order to conduct their work, he said.

However, Araghchi told state TV in an interview on Wednesday that “I have to reiterate the agreement does not currently provide access to IAEA inspectors, apart from the Bushehr nuclear plant.” He added: “Based on reports that Iran will issue in the future, the nature of access will have to be discussed at an appropriate time.”

Reuters quoted Grossi as saying in a statement to the IAEA Board of Governors Wednesday that the “technical document” agreed provided for “a clear understanding of the procedures for inspection, notifications, and implementation.”

These include “all facilities and installations in Iran and also contemplates the required reporting on all the attacked facilities, including the nuclear material present at those,” he added.

While in the Egyptian capital, Araghchi and Grossi met with Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi, who praised the agreement as “a positive step towards de-escalation.”

Sisi added that it could pave the way “for a return to the negotiating table and the achievement of a peaceful settlement to the Iranian nuclear program,” according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.

Jerusalem and Western governments accuse the Islamic Republic of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, rejecting claims by the Iranian regime that its atomic program is for peaceful purposes.

The United Kingdom, France and Germany (known as the E3) last month threatened to reimpose “snapback sanctions” on Iran over its nuclear activities, while leaving the door open for a diplomatic solution.

Abdelatty said he hopes the deal could “enable an understanding” with the European powers, according to France24. Tehran said the deal was off if international sanctions were re-imposed.