Iran To Host IAEA Technical Team Amid Growing Nuclear Tensions

Iran has agreed to allow a technical delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit Tehran within the next two to three weeks, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi announced on Wednesday.

The decision comes as a gesture of goodwill despite ongoing tensions between Iran and the nuclear watchdog.

IAEA Delegation to Discuss Cooperation Framework

Speaking to reporters, Gharibabadi confirmed that the IAEA technical team will visit Tehran soon, but clarified that the visit will not involve access to nuclear sites.

Instead, the discussions will focus on determining the modality and framework of future cooperation.

“The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran is currently assessing the damages to our nuclear installations,” he said. “The IAEA team will come to talk about cooperation procedures—not to inspect the nuclear facilities.”

Gharibabadi noted that Iran’s Parliament has passed a bill suspending all cooperation with the IAEA. He explained that Iran would resume cooperation only if the safety and security of its nuclear facilities and personnel were guaranteed.

“Accordingly, we agreed to the IAEA’s visit within the next few weeks to define the framework for cooperation,” he said. “We hope the agency values this act of goodwill.”

Iran Slams IAEA Chief Over Allegations and Bias

The Iranian diplomat strongly criticised IAEA Secretary General Rafael Grossi, accusing him of politicising the agency’s role and raising unfounded allegations in his latest report.

Gharibabadi claimed that Grossi relied on fabricated documents from Israeli intelligence and failed to condemn recent Israeli and US acts of aggression targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

“Tensions have increased under Grossi’s leadership,” Gharibabadi said. “He has shown bias and disregarded the IAEA’s obligation to remain impartial.”

Gharibabadi confirmed that any potential future negotiations with the United States would take place indirectly. He also reaffirmed Iran’s right to enrich uranium according to its own needs, rejecting calls to voluntarily suspend enrichment activities.

“Iran will enrich uranium based on what it requires,” he said. “We have bitter experiences of relying on others, including the refusal to supply uranium for the Tehran research reactor.”

Iran Warns Europe Against Triggering Snapback Sanctions

Gharibabadi also warned the European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) against invoking the snapback mechanism, which would restore UN sanctions on Iran. He said Iran would respond decisively if Europe proceeds with such action.

“Europe has no right to initiate the snapback process. If they do, Iran will not remain passive,” he stated. “We will respond. We are obliged to.”

When asked about Iran’s possible withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Gharibabadi said the option remains under consideration.

He noted that Iran’s former administration had previously evaluated the possibility, and current officials are also reviewing further measures.

“That option remains on the table,” he said. “Our response will be serious, and part of it has already been determined.”

As tensions persist over Iran’s nuclear program, the upcoming IAEA visit may signal a potential opening for limited dialogue, though both sides continue to express mistrust and maintain hardened positions.

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