What Happened to the Cairo Agreement?
WANA (Oct 13) – One month after the signing of the Cairo Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the deal — once hailed as a step toward restoring technical cooperation and mutual confidence — has effectively been suspended. Recent remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and other government officials indicate that the latest political and security developments, particularly the activation of the “snapback” mechanism by three European countries, have rendered the agreement practically inoperative.
From Cairo to Suspension: A Path Marked by Distrust
The Cairo Agreement, signed on September 8, 2025, after three rounds of intensive negotiations between Araghchi and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, aimed to create a new framework for technical and oversight cooperation. It was essentially a diplomatic effort to prevent further escalation following the Iranian Parliament’s resolution requiring the government to suspend voluntary cooperation with the IAEA.
At the time of signing, Araghchi warned that the continuation of the agreement depended on the absence of any hostile actions against Iran, emphasizing that if the snapback mechanism were triggered or previously lifted UN Security Council resolutions reinstated, Iran would consider the accord null and void. Only a few weeks later, that warning materialized.
Snapback Activated: Four Scenarios for Iran’s Response
WANA (Sep 30) – The United Nations issued an official statement declaring that the “snapback mechanism” had been activated, reinstating six previous Security Council sanctions resolutions against Iran. This development marks a new turning point in the nuclear dispute between Iran and the West, placing Tehran before a limited but costly set of options. […]
Snapback Activation and Tehran’s Response
After the cancellation of a planned meeting between Iran, the IAEA, and European representatives in New York — due to the U.S. envoy’s refusal to attend and the introduction of what Tehran called “unacceptable demands” — the three European signatories decided to activate the snapback mechanism. From Iran’s perspective, this move violated the spirit of the Cairo Agreement and constituted an openly hostile act.
Following that decision, both the Iranian Parliament and the Supreme National Security Council reaffirmed the need to implement the July law mandating the suspension of cooperation with the IAEA. Consequently, the operational framework established in Cairo effectively came to a halt.
Government’s Position: Suspension, Not Complete Severance
In a recent televised interview, Foreign Minister Araghchi announced that the Cairo Agreement had been “suspended due to its lack of practical utility.” He explained that any future IAEA requests for inspections or site access would be referred to the Supreme National Security Council for review and authorization, in accordance with parliamentary law.
Cairo Agreement between Iran and IAEA. Social media/ WANA News Agency
However, Araghchi also clarified that Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA was “not entirely terminated.” He stated that in cases where technical collaboration served Iran’s national interests, the Supreme National Security Council could approve selective engagement. This reflects Tehran’s attempt to keep limited communication channels with the IAEA open, despite the deep erosion of mutual trust.
Europe’s Role in the Agreement’s Collapse
In official statements, the Iranian Foreign Ministry placed direct responsibility for the current situation on the three European countries. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Beghaei told reporters that Europe “chose confrontation from the very day after the Cairo Agreement was signed,” effectively undermining the accord. He also confirmed that “no IAEA inspectors are currently present in Iran.”
Cairo Agreement Made Europe More Brazen
WANA (Sep 18) – The issue of the agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which took place in Egypt, Cairo, still has both supporters and opponents. Keyhan newspaper, from the right-wing faction in Iran, is among the opponents of this new agreement. This influential newspaper, in an article today, challenged trust […]
Final Analysis: An Agreement Undone by Politics
The Cairo Agreement was born out of cautious optimism — a shared hope that diplomacy could prevent further deterioration in Iran–IAEA relations. Yet, political maneuvering, external pressure, and mutual distrust quickly overwhelmed the process.
The suspension of the Cairo Agreement is more than a technical measure; it symbolizes a return to a crisis stage in Iran’s nuclear diplomacy. Rebuilding confidence between Tehran and Vienna will now require not only new initiatives and balanced European behavior but also credible guarantees that Iran’s rights and interests will be genuinely safeguarded.
