Iran suspends all cooperation with atomic energy watchdog
Iran has suspended the implementation of the Cairo agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said in an interview with state television. Cooperation has not been completely cut off however, but rather “temporarily put on hold.”
The agreement signed in September would have allowed the organization to resume inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities after Tehran suspended them following Israeli and US bombing in June. The deal lost significance shortly after that, when Britain, France, and Germany – all signatories to the 2015 nuclear accord – triggered the return of UN sanctions on Tehran.
Talking to Press TV on Saturday, Araghchi stressed that Iran is ready to return to the Cairo agreement if “fair proposals are presented in a way that safeguards the rights of the Iranian nation.”
Araghchi also said that, under current conditions, Tehran sees no reason to continue nuclear talks with Britain, France, and Germany. “We see no basis for negotiations with the Europeans,” the minister added.
Western states have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons – allegations Tehran strongly denies. Iran insists its program is purely civilian and that it retains the right to enrich uranium under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968.
The Trump administration tried to revive nuclear talks with Iran earlier this year, but the attempt failed after Israeli strikes in June targeted Iranian nuclear, military, and residential sites.
Tehran has since accused Washington of sabotaging diplomacy and demanded guarantees and recognition of its rights before any resumption of negotiations.
