Iran has signaled readiness to resume technical-level discussions with the UN nuclear watchdog, though IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said Friday that any planned visit would not yet involve inspectors.
Speaking in Singapore, Grossi said the agency had proposed talks with Tehran on “the modalities as to how to restart or begin [inspections] again,” beginning with procedural issues and potentially moving to high-level consultations later.
Grossi emphasized the urgency of re-engagement, warning that the agency still lacks updated information on Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. “This is why it is so important that we engage as soon as possible and that we can start our inspection,” he said.
Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA following last month’s Israeli and US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, accusing agency chief Rafael Grossi of bias and failing to condemn the attacks.
Iran says IAEA visit will not include nuclear site inspections
On Friday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said a senior IAEA official is expected to visit Tehran in the coming weeks for talks on a new cooperation framework, but emphasized that there are no plans for the delegation to inspect nuclear facilities damaged in the strikes. He said the visit will focus on procedural coordination, and any further cooperation will depend on decisions by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi had earlier confirmed that a technical IAEA delegation would travel to Tehran, reiterating that site inspections were not on the agenda. He said Iran’s engagement with the agency is being guided by legislation passed after the June attacks.
