IAEA Inspectors Enter Iran for Bushehr Fuel Replacement
WANA (Aug 27) – Iran’s Foreign Minister stated that the entry of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into the country was carried out under the decision of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) to oversee fuel replacement at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. He emphasized that no text of an agreement regarding a new cooperation framework between Iran and the IAEA has received final approval.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi, commenting on IAEA officials’ statements regarding their inspectors’ visit to Iran, said: “According to the law passed by the Iranian Parliament, cooperation with the IAEA is subject to the decision of the Supreme National Security Council. Accordingly, all requests from the IAEA are submitted to the SNSC for decision-making.”
The minister added, “Decisions have been made regarding the Bushehr plant fuel replacement, which must be conducted under IAEA supervision. Any cooperation will strictly follow the Parliament-approved legal framework, ensuring the interests of the Iranian people are protected.”
Addressing claims made by a Tehran parliamentary representative in today’s public session regarding the finalization of an agreement on a new modality with the IAEA, Araghchi clarified:
“No text has been finalized or approved. Some viewpoints have been exchanged between the parties, and the IAEA has submitted written comments several times. In any negotiation, it is normal for both sides to share their perspectives before reaching a final conclusion. I do not know the source of the text referred to by the representative, but it is not an agreed-upon negotiation text.”
Araghchi also discussed today’s session with members of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, noting that topics included the Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor, nuclear negotiations with European parties, discussions with the IAEA, and matters related to the snapback mechanism and its extension. He added that the representatives provided valuable input during the session.
Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, also stated that, in line with the scheduled operation of the Bushehr nuclear power plant and the need to ensure a timely electricity supply to the national grid, it has been agreed that International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors will supervise the plant’s fuel replacement.
He added, “It is clear that any inspections will take place only after Iran and the IAEA reach an agreement on the framework of cooperation arrangements and after the approval of the Supreme National Security Council, in accordance with the recent parliamentary legislation.”
Last night, the British outlet claimed that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have returned to Iran after several months of absence and are now awaiting approval from the Supreme National Security Council to resume their activities.
The outlet reported that their return comes as IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi has announced progress in talks over a new “framework” — one that could prevent the activation of the “snapback mechanism” by the three European countries.
Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. AEOI / WANA News Agency
