Finalization of Iran-IAEA Understanding

WANA (Sep 09) – Following Tuesday evening’s talks in Cairo, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman announced the finalization of an understanding between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesman, stated: “Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have reached an understanding on how to engage under the new circumstances, following the unlawful attacks by the United States and Israel against our peaceful nuclear facilities.”

The negotiations between Iran’s Foreign Minister and the IAEA Director General took place this evening in Cairo.

Meeting between Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. Social media / WANA News Agency

Grossi’s Comment

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi wrote on X: “With Iran’s Foreign Minister we agreed on practical steps to resume inspection activities in Iran, which represents an important step in the right direction.”

Araghchi: Iran Has Shown Responsibility by Reaching Agreement with the Agency

At a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart and the IAEA chief, Iran’s Foreign Minister emphasized: “By reaching an agreement with the Agency to ensure the continuation of cooperation, despite unlawful actions, Iran demonstrates restraint and responsibility.”

Finalization of Iran-IAEA Understanding. Social media / WANA News Agency

Below is the full text of Araghchi’s remarks at the joint press conference marking the finalization of the Iran-IAEA understanding:

“Let me begin with a few words about the latest act of aggression by Israel—an attack carried out this afternoon in Doha targeting Palestinian negotiators.

We strongly condemn this terrorist and aggressive act, and we declare our full solidarity with the people of Palestine as well as with the State of Qatar, whose sovereignty and territorial integrity were blatantly violated by Israel.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and to all Palestinians for the loss of those killed as a result of this cowardly terrorist attack.

We call on the UN Security Council and the entire international community to immediately act to stop Israel from committing further crimes in Gaza and to save the world from the unprecedented threat that this regime poses to global peace and security.

I wish to begin by expressing my gratitude to Egypt, and to my friend Minister Badr Abdelatty, for his tireless efforts over the past weeks and for hosting us today.

Today marks an important step in the continuation and perseverance of the goodwill of the Islamic Republic of Iran to resolve any issues related to its exclusively peaceful nuclear program through diplomacy and dialogue. Despite being subjected to unlawful and criminal attacks, Iran has remained steadfast in exercising its legitimate rights to the peaceful use of nuclear energy under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while at the same time demonstrating its readiness to engage in genuine and meaningful dialogue to fulfill its relevant obligations.

The acts of aggression that occurred between 13 and 24 June 2025, which deliberately targeted our safeguarded nuclear facilities, were patently unlawful and criminal. The United States and Israel must be held responsible and accountable for all human casualties and material damages caused. The Iranian people will neither forget nor forgive these crimes.

These unlawful attacks and the continued threat of further measures fundamentally altered the conditions under which Iran cooperated with the IAEA. It was no longer possible to continue cooperation while our safeguarded facilities were deliberately targeted and destroyed.

In response to this grave situation, Iran’s Parliament passed a law mandating the suspension of cooperation with the IAEA. This law reflects the sovereign right of the Iranian nation to safeguard its security, dignity, and nuclear achievements in the face of ongoing threats. This was not our choice, but a direct consequence of unlawful actions against Iran’s safeguarded facilities. No responsible nation can carry on as usual when its exclusively peaceful nuclear infrastructure is deliberately attacked.

Finalization of Iran-IAEA Understanding. Social media / WANA News Agency

The existing framework of the NPT Safeguards Agreement between Iran and the IAEA—designed for normal conditions—was simply not adequate to address the unprecedented situation created by the unlawful actions of the United States and Israel. There is no precedent of the Agency cooperating with a member state whose safeguarded facilities have been deliberately attacked and damaged.

Accordingly, Iran and the IAEA engaged in intensive negotiations to establish a new mechanism for implementing Iran’s safeguards obligations and ensuring continued cooperation. These talks were based on a shared understanding that safeguards activities must be preserved while also addressing Iran’s legitimate security concerns.

Today, the IAEA Director General and I held the final round of negotiations to conclude an understanding on how Iran’s safeguards obligations will be implemented in light of the developments resulting from unlawful attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and we succeeded in finalizing it.

The agreed practical steps for implementing safeguards fully comply with the law passed by Iran’s Parliament, address Iran’s concerns, and provide a framework for sustained cooperation. What we have done ensures our legitimate rights while maintaining cooperation with the Agency under a mutually agreed framework. This agreement establishes a practical mechanism for cooperation that reflects both Iran’s exceptional security circumstances and the Agency’s technical requirements.

It also ensures that cooperation continues in a manner that respects Iran’s national sovereignty and fulfills the Agency’s verification requirements.

However, our cooperation cannot be detached from the realities on the ground and the necessity of protecting the rights and security of our people.

The message is clear: Iran will never compromise on its sovereignty, rights, or security. At the same time, by reaching this agreement with the Agency to enable continued cooperation—despite unlawful actions—Iran demonstrates restraint and responsibility.

We expect the Agency and the international community to uphold international law and to condemn these attacks. Cooperation is not a one-way street. In return for Iran’s commitments, the Agency has specific responsibilities, and we expect it to fully adhere to them while maintaining its impartiality, independence, and professionalism.

I stress that should any hostile action be taken against Iran—including the reinstatement of previously lifted UN Security Council resolutions—Iran will consider these practical steps null and void.”

Finalization of Iran-IAEA Understanding. Social media / WANA News Agency