IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi Tours Iran's Key Nuclear Sites Amidst Diplomatic Tensions

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, conducted a tour of Iran’s significant nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz on Friday. Accompanying him were Behrouz Kamalvandi, Deputy Chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), and Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs.

Iran (IMNA) - Grossi arrived in Tehran on Wednesday night, leading a delegation to continue discussions between Iran and the IAEA. This visit aligns with a joint statement made during Grossi’s previous trip to Tehran on March 4, 2023, where both parties acknowledged that positive bilateral engagements could facilitate broader agreements among state parties.

During his visit, Grossi emphasized the importance of collaboration in their interactions, asserting that they must adhere to the competencies of the IAEA and respect Iran's rights under the comprehensive safeguards agreement. On Thursday, he held separate meetings with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, AEOI head Mohammad Eslami, and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Following these discussions, Grossi expressed optimism about his upcoming visits to Fordow and Natanz, stating that they would provide him with a clearer understanding of Iran's nuclear program.

Araghchi reiterated Tehran's willingness to engage in nuclear negotiations with the three European parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), emphasizing that these talks must be based on Iran's interests and rights rather than under pressure. He remarked that "the ball is in the EU/E3 court," highlighting Iran's readiness to negotiate without intimidation.

Meanwhile, Eslami warned of an "immediate response" from Iran should any resolutions be passed by the UN nuclear agency against its nuclear program. He affirmed that any such actions would be met with swift retaliation, reinforcing Iran's commitment to advancing its nuclear activities in line with national interests.

Since signing the JCPOA in 2015, which affirmed the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, Iran has faced significant challenges following the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 and the re-imposition of sanctions. This has led Iran to gradually roll back its commitments under the deal as other parties failed to uphold their obligations.

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