Iran, IAEA Chief Meet in Cairo to Discuss Nuclear Cooperation Restart

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet with Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Cairo to discuss a new framework for Iran-IAEA cooperation, marking their first high-level contact since Iran suspended cooperation following Israeli and U.S. strikes on its nuclear sites in June. The talks, which will also include Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, aim to negotiate a new protocol for interaction amid heightened tensions and Iran's insistence on safeguarding its nuclear sovereignty and peaceful rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran has limited IAEA access to its nuclear facilities, demanding that any inspections be approved by its Supreme National Security Council, reflecting Tehran's concerns over sovereignty and security after the military strikes. Meanwhile, diplomatic pressure from European nations is mounting, with Britain, France, and Germany seeking to reinstate UN sanctions through the nuclear deal’s dispute resolution mechanism due to Iran’s non-compliance. The Iranian parliament has expressed strong opposition to provisions they see as unilateral concessions to the IAEA, warning of political consequences for officials exceeding the legal framework. The discussions underscore the regional and international stakes surrounding Iran's nuclear program, with calls from Iran and Egypt for the international community to prevent further escalation and uphold peaceful nuclear rights.