Iran, IAEA agree to resume nuclear cooperation in Egypt-backed deal

Iran has reached an understanding with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog IAEA on a new framework for cooperation, following a suspension of engagement after June attacks on its nuclear facilities by Israel and the United States.

"Iran and the Atomic Energy Agency have reached an understanding on how to engage under the new circumstances," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told state television after a meeting in Cairo.

The announcement followed a meeting between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi.

URANIUM STOCKPILES INACCESSIBLE

Iran’s government reiterated that it currently does not have access to its enriched uranium stockpiles following the 12-day conflict in June, which devastated key nuclear infrastructure. At a weekly press briefing, Iran's spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said, "In regard to uranium, we do not have access to it. It is in a location where access does not exist."

The talks come amid ongoing tensions over past incidents at Iran’s nuclear sites. Mohajerani stressed Iran’s complaint regarding IAEA inspectors removing confidential documents from the Fordow enrichment site earlier this year.

"In early May, two documents accessed by inspectors were transferred to Vienna. After Iran submitted a written protest, the authorisation of those two inspectors was revoked and their cooperation with Iran ended," she said.

The Iranian government also pointed out that future cooperation with the IAEA will be guided by a law passed by parliament in June, which curtails the agency’s access to nuclear facilities. Mohajerani added that any decision on leaving the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) "will ultimately be made by the system as a whole."

- Ends

With inputs from agencies

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