Tehran - BORNA - Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, speaking to American reporters on the sidelines of UN meetings in New York, said the visit would focus on working out a new framework for cooperation and not on inspecting nuclear sites.
“Given the new circumstances, the implementation of commitments requires fresh discussions with the Agency. This is an important matter,” he stated.
Gharibabadi said a bill passed by Iran’s Parliament mandates the suspension of all cooperation with the IAEA and that its resumption depends on ensuring the safety and security of Iran’s nuclear facilities and personnel.
“Accordingly, we have agreed to the visit of the IAEA technical team to Tehran within the next two to three weeks to discuss the framework for cooperation,” he noted.
The senior diplomat characterized the decision as another gesture of goodwill by Iran, despite its dissatisfaction with the IAEA’s approach.
“We hope this initiative will be welcomed and that they will value such cooperation and goodwill,” he said.
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have been particularly high during the tenure of its current secretary general, Rafael Grossi.
This strain has deepened after Grossi laid the groundwork for an anti-Iran IAEA resolution by raising what Iran calls unfounded allegations in his latest report, as well as after he refused to condemn US-Israeli actions against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Iran has accused Grossi, who has been in frequent contact with Israeli officials, of using fabricated documents provided by the regime to justify allegations against Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities.
‘No stop to uranium enrichment’
Addressing Iran’s nuclear policy, Gharibabadi reiterated that Iran will continue enriching uranium based on its own needs.
“Iran will enrich uranium based on its own needs. We must have the capability to carry out everything we require,” he stressed.