Iran, UN nuclear watchdog reach understanding on cooperation

Dubai: Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA have reached an understanding about the resumption of cooperation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a statement on Tuesday, warning that implementation of UN sanctions on Iran would mean the end of "practical steps" outlined in the agreement.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has not had access to Iran's key nuclear facilities since the United States and Israel bombed them in June. Iran passed a law after the attacks suspending cooperation with the IAEA and saying any inspections had to be approved by its Supreme National Security Council.

"I held the final round of negotiations to finalize an understanding on how to implement Iran's safeguards obligations in light of developments resulting from illegal actions against Iran's nuclear facilities, and we succeeded in finalizing it.", Araqchi said in the statement carried by state media.

UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi described the agreement as "an important step in the right direction", in a post on X on Tuesday.

"In Cairo today, agreed with Iran's Foreign Minister ... on practical modalities to resume inspection activities in Iran", Grossi said in his post.

The Iranian foreign minister said the agreement signed in Cairo on Tuesday fully complies with the law passed by Iran's parliament after the US and Israeli attacks.

Araqchi said the agreement establishes a practical mechanism for cooperation that reflects both Iran’s "exceptional security circumstances" and the agency’s technical requirements.

Talks take place against the backdrop of Europe's top three powers having initiated a 30-day process on Aug. 28 to re-impose sanctions on Iran. The curbs were lifted under a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers that unravelled after President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of it in 2018.

Those three powers - France, Britain and Germany, known as the E3 - have said they will go ahead with re-imposing sanctions under the so-called "snapback" process unless IAEA inspections fully resume in Iran, and Tehran accounts for its large stock of near-weapons-grade uranium and resumes nuclear talks with the United States.

"I emphasize that in the event of any hostile action against Iran, including the reinstatement of repealed United Nations Security Council resolutions, Iran will consider these practical steps as completed.", Araqchi said.