Arabic media: Egypt Seeks to Revive Deal Between Tehran and IAEA

Tehran - BORNA - Egypt is actively working to salvage a cooperation agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Tehran unilaterally declared "void and invalid" a few weeks prior. This effort comes after Iran nullified the deal in retaliation for the restoration of United Nations sanctions.

The Al-Arabiya news network reported that the Egyptian Foreign Minister held a telephone conversation with Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director-General, discussing the collapse of the agreement and efforts to prevent escalating tensions between Iran and Western powers.

Egypt had previously mediated the agreement, under which Iran resumed cooperation with the Agency following months of tension caused by U.S. and Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities in July. The deal allowed IAEA inspectors to resume inspections of Iran's nuclear sites, which diplomatic sources had described as the "biggest breakthrough" in Iran's international cooperation over the past two years.

However, Iran withdrew from the agreement after the "illegal" activation of the UN sanctions snapback mechanism—which had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA)—by France, Germany, and the UK.

On November 21, Iran re-emphasized that the agreement was "void and invalid." This followed a resolution by the IAEA Board of Governors condemning Iran's nuclear program and demanding access to facilities targeted by the U.S. and the Zionist regime during the 12-day war. Tehran deemed the Board's decision "illegal and unjustified," accusing the U.S. and the three European countries (France, Germany, and the UK) of attempting to push the Agency toward further escalation.

Al-Arabiya reported that the Egyptian Foreign Minister expressed concern during his phone call about the increasing tensions between Iran and the Agency, warning that this trend could lead to the "situation spiraling out of control" regarding Iran's nuclear program. He stressed the need for "continued efforts to de-escalate, build confidence, and create conditions for continued cooperation."

Grossi praised Egypt's mediation role in the agreement, stating that the Agency requires Iran's "full and unconditional cooperation" to repair the relationship. The report adds that Iran has allowed inspections of some facilities but has rejected the entry of inspectors into sites bombed by the U.S. and the Zionist regime due to security concerns. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi stated that the Agency can only gain access to the targeted facilities once appropriate conditions are met.

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