IAEA inspectors back in Iran 'under new framework'
Tehran has set conditions for renewed cooperation with security at the top of its priorities
Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have returned to Iran for the first time since Israeli and US strikes hit its nuclear facilities in June, the agency announced on 26 August.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi told Fox News that “the first team of IAEA inspectors is back in Iran and we are about to restart.” He said talks were underway on “practical modalities” to resume inspections at both damaged and undamaged sites.
Earlier this month, the IAEA’s deputy head, Massimo Aparo, traveled to Tehran for the first time since cooperation was formally suspended to hold discussions with authorities on a new agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “The decision to allow a team of IAEA inspectors into Iran was approved by the Supreme National Security Council, and is primarily intended to supervise the changing of the nuclear fuel rods at the Bushehr NPP.”
Araghchi said on 20 August that the Islamic Republic cannot “completely end” its dealings with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), several weeks after Tehran formally suspended cooperation with the watchdog over the Israeli war in June.
Tehran stated that cooperation with the IAEA would continue “in a new framework,” with security concerns emphasized, given the mounting evidence that the agency’s use of Palantir’s MOSAIC system blurred the line between monitoring and espionage.
The announcement coincided with a second round of talks in Geneva between Iranian officials and diplomats from France, Germany, and the UK.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state television that “contacts between the two sides would continue in the coming days.”
The European states have called on Tehran to resume inspections, while the Geneva talks were described as an effort to avert snapback sanctions.
Israel started its 12-day war on Iran on 13 June amid nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington. The US joined the war on 23 June with a bunker-buster attack on the Iranian nuclear facilities Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.
US President Donald Trump repeatedly stressed that the sites were “obliterated,” yet leaked US intelligence and European assessments both contradicted the claim.
Tehran said the IAEA gave Israel the pretext to start a war after a report accused Iran of hiding enriched uranium.
Since Iran’s parliament has passed a bill restricting work with the agency, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has come under criticism from hardliners for seeking to reopen talks with the IAEA and with western states.