WANA (Sep 13) – A public and student-led protest took place on Thursday, September 11, at 4:00 PM in front of the Supreme National Security Council office, opposing the return of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to Iran’s nuclear facilities.

 

The demonstration was organized under the slogan: “End the war, we will hold Grossi accountable,” a phrase previously used by the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council on June 21.

Iranian Students Protest Return of IAEA Inspectors. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Iranian Students Protest Return of IAEA Inspectors. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Organizers stated that the purpose of the protest was to oppose renewed cooperation with the IAEA and the re-entry of inspectors into the country’s nuclear sites.

 

At the end of the gathering, students read a statement condemning the resumption of IAEA cooperation. The statement said: “The return of inspectors and renewed cooperation not only clearly contradicts approved legislation, but also seriously undermines the credibility of the country’s sovereign decisions.”

 

It added: “If laws ratified by the Guardian Council and passed with the decisive vote of Parliament are ignored at critical junctures, it sends a message both domestically and internationally that the nation’s will and strategic decisions are violable and meaningless.”

A banner written: "Mr. Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council: We were expecting you to hold Grossi accountable, not to grant permission for spying again." Social media/ WANA News Agency

A banner written: “Mr. Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council: We were expecting you to hold Grossi accountable, not to grant permission for spying again.” Social media/ WANA News Agency

On Tuesday, September 9, an agreement was reached in Cairo between Iran and the IAEA, attended by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, and IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi.

 

According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the deal—resulting from three rounds of intensive negotiations—establishes a new framework for continued safeguards cooperation while also addressing Iran’s security concerns following U.S. and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities.

 

Araghchi stressed that the memorandum had been drafted in line with parliament’s legislation and the considerations of the SNSC, ensuring cooperation with the Agency under a new framework, provided that no hostile actions such as the activation of the snapback mechanism are undertaken against Iran.