Iran has warned that its upcoming discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be both technical and highly complicated, ahead of the UN nuclear watchdog’s first visit to Tehran since diplomatic ties were severed last month.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that a possible meeting with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi could take place during the visit. However, he cautioned that it was “too early to predict” any outcomes, stressing the sensitive nature of the talks.
The visit follows Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s July 3 decision to halt cooperation with the IAEA after a 12-day conflict with Israel that saw intense military exchanges and targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The clashes, sparked by Israeli air raids, prompted the United States to carry out large-scale attacks in support of Israel.
Speaking to Al Jazeera last month, President Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s determination to continue its peaceful nuclear program, warning that the country remains prepared for any future confrontation with Israel. He accused Israeli strikes of attempting to dismantle Iran’s leadership and scientific infrastructure, but claimed such efforts had “completely failed.”
During the recent visit, IAEA Deputy Director General Massimo Aparo met with senior Iranian officials to discuss the “method of interaction” between Tehran and the agency. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that further consultations are planned, but no access to nuclear sites was granted during this trip.
Tensions between the two sides escalated after the IAEA board declared on June 12 that Iran had violated non-proliferation commitments — just a day before Israel’s strikes on Iran. Baghaei criticised the IAEA for failing to condemn the attacks.
Any future cooperation with the IAEA will now require approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, potentially reducing inspectors’ ability to monitor uranium enrichment. While Tehran has enriched uranium up to 60% — below the weapons-grade threshold of 90% — US intelligence agencies maintain that Iran ended its organised nuclear weapons program in 2003.