Tehran Proposes New Framework for IAEA Engagement

Iran is prepared to draft a new framework for cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following the suspension of inspections at its nuclear sites, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

"The two ministers discussed the Iranian nuclear problem. Emphasizing Iran’s principles position on the defense of its rights and interests under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, The Caspian Post reports, citing TASS.

The Iranian foreign minister expressed his country’s readiness to elaborate a protocol of relations between Iran and the IAEA in the new environment following the United States and Israel's illegal attacks in line with the law [on suspending cooperation with the agency] that was passed by parliament," the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the sides also discussed issues of the normalization of bilateral relations. Both top diplomats reiterated their commitment to continue efforts to strengthen ties between Tehran and Cairo.

Araghchi arrived in Egypt on Tuesday. According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, Araghchi’s program in Cairo also includes talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who said ahead of this meeting that he hoped that an agreement on restoring the agency’s presence in Iran would be reached soon.