TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on October 5 that cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has become “no longer relevant” following the reinstatement of international sanctions against Tehran.
Referring to the “Cairo agreement” reached in September between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog, Mr Araghchi said the accord had lost its purpose after Britain, France, and Germany triggered the snap-back mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal, reinstating UN sanctions for Iran’s alleged non-compliance. The agreement had been intended to restart inspections of Iranian nuclear sites that were suspended after Israeli and US airstrikes on Iranian facilities in June.
“The three European countries thought they had leverage by threatening to implement a snap-back,” Mr Araghchi said during a meeting with foreign diplomats in Tehran. “Now they have used this lever and seen the results. They have definitely diminished their role and almost eliminated the justification for negotiations with them.”He added that the European trio would play a “much smaller role” in any future nuclear diplomacy. Iran has also criticized the IAEA for failing to condemn the attacks on its nuclear installations despite Tehran’s status as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Western powers, led by the United States and supported by Israel, maintain that Iran’s uranium enrichment signals an effort to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies the claim, insisting its nuclear activities are purely civilian and in line with its NPT rights. While some lawmakers in Iran have suggested withdrawing from the NPT, President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated the country’s commitment to its treaty obligations. Mr Araghchi said Tehran’s final “decision regarding cooperation with the agency will be announced,” but noted that diplomatic channels remain open.
Talks between Iran and the US for a renewed nuclear deal began in April but were suspended following the June attacks on Iranian sites. Tehran has since demanded stronger guarantees and recognition of its nuclear rights before resuming any further negotiations.