IAEA Inspectors Return to Iran Under New Terms, But Full Cooperation Still Elusive
Tehran allows inspectors to supervise Bushehr fuel swap under Supreme National Security Council oversight, while negotiations toward a broader agreement remain ongoing.
Tehran, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have made a cautious return to Iran—marking their first visit since Tehran suspended cooperation following June’s Israeli airstrikes—but full-scale nuclear oversight remains stalled amid unresolved terms.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the inspectors were permitted entry solely to oversee a fuel replacement at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, following approval from the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). However, he reiterated that no final agreement has been approved for a broader cooperation framework with the UN nuclear watchdog.
Araghchi emphasised that all future IAEA requests must be submitted to, and approved by, the SNSC under Iranian law. Despite ongoing discussions about the modalities of cooperation, the absence of an agreed framework prevents a full resumption of inspection activities.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed the inspectors’ return and acknowledged active talks about restarting their activities, though practical details are still being negotiated.
The move comes amid growing international pressure—particularly from the European trio (Britain, France, and Germany)—who are weighing reinitiating the UN’s “snapback” sanctions mechanism if Iran fails to resume full cooperation.
As inspectors begin their limited mission in Bushehr, global attention remains fixed on whether Iran will agree to a transparent and wide-ranging inspection regime—or if this marks only a tentative step amid deepening diplomatic impasse. (PW)
Source: The Cradle