Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the suspension is “temporary,” and Tehran is prepared to resume adherence to its agreements with the IAEA.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a television interview that Iran has halted the implementation of the Cairo agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He clarified that cooperation isn’t entirely severed but rather “temporarily put on hold.”
The September agreement aimed to allow the IAEA to restart inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities after Tehran suspended them following bombings attributed to Israel and the US in June. However, the deal’s importance diminished when Britain, France, and Germany – all parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement – initiated the reinstatement of UN sanctions against Iran.
Speaking to Press TV on Saturday, Araghchi asserted Iran’s willingness to return to the Cairo agreement if “fair proposals are presented that protect the rights of the Iranian nation.”
Araghchi also stated that Tehran sees no reason to continue nuclear discussions with Britain, France, and Germany under the current circumstances. “We see no basis for negotiations with the Europeans,” the minister added.
Western countries have long alleged that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, accusations that Tehran vehemently denies. Iran maintains that its program is exclusively for civilian purposes and that it retains the right to enrich uranium under the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The Trump administration’s attempt to restart nuclear talks with Iran earlier this year failed after June Israeli strikes targeted Iranian nuclear, military, and residential locations.
Since then, Tehran has accused Washington of undermining diplomacy and has demanded guarantees and recognition of its rights before resuming any negotiations.