WANA (Sep 03) – Russia’s envoy to international organizations in Vienna announced talks with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on Iran’s nuclear file today — a meeting that was swiftly followed by Grossi’s warning that negotiations with Tehran must not drag on.

 

Mikhail Ulyanov wrote on X: “I met with the Director General of the IAEA to discuss the worrying situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear issue.”

 

Speaking after the meeting, Grossi stressed: “The current talks with Iran on ways to resume inspections cannot continue for months. We hope this process will soon be concluded and expect inspections in Iran to be restored.”

 

Grossi also underlined that recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have not eliminated Tehran’s capacity to manufacture enrichment centrifuges. He added that a meeting between the IAEA and Iranian officials on resuming inspections of nuclear sites is likely to take place in the coming days.

 

The developments come amid renewed tensions at the UN Security Council. On August 28, the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal (the UK, France, and Germany) triggered the process to restore UN sanctions on Iran. Russia rejected the move as illegal and in response submitted a draft resolution to extend Security Council Resolution 2231.

 

According to the Wall Street Journal, Moscow has also circulated another draft resolution among Council members, this time addressing the “snapback” mechanism. Enshrined in Resolution 2231, the mechanism allows countries to reimpose previous UN sanctions on Iran if they determine Tehran has violated its commitments. Western governments claim that Iran’s remedial measures following the U.S. withdrawal from the deal constitute such violations — a charge Tehran has consistently denied.

New mural at Tehran’s Enghelab Square: Iran’s next-generation centrifuges and nuclear capabilities, accompanied by the slogan “Knowledge is Power.” 27th Aug 2025. Social Media / WANA News Agency

New mural at Tehran’s Enghelab Square: Iran’s next-generation centrifuges and nuclear capabilities, accompanied by the slogan “Knowledge is Power.” 27th Aug 2025. Social Media / WANA News Agency