TEHRAN, Aug 12: Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have agreed to continue consultations on the Iranian nuclear issue, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said following a meeting with IAEA Deputy Director General Massimo Aparo.
Aparo arrived in Tehran yesterday to discuss new formats for cooperation between Iran and the IAEA.
“Taking into account the discussions held during the meeting, it was decided to continue consultations,” Gharibabadi was quoted as saying by the Jamaran news agency.
On July 2, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a decree that suspended Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA. The foreign minister said that channels for cooperation remained open.
Iran has said that its cooperation with the IAEA is conditional on safeguards for its nuclear facilities and scientists. The suspension of cooperation is linked to Iran’s criticism of the IAEA and Director General Rafael Grossi for inaction amid US and Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities in Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz in June.
In early August, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said that Tehran had made it clear to the agency’s leadership that it was ready to resume technical consultations with it. He said the IAEA sought the return of its inspectors to Iranian nuclear sites as soon as possible.
On August 9, a senior Iranian political source told Sputnik that the IAEA was preparing a visit of its delegation to Iran but no concrete decisions were expected to be made during the visit. (UNI)
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