Iran, IAEA Hold Nuclear Cooperation Talks Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Iran is engaging in multiple diplomatic and technical efforts regarding its nuclear program amid rising tensions and international scrutiny. Representatives from Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are set to discuss cooperation frameworks, focusing on peaceful nuclear activities and inspection protocols, although Tehran remains suspicious of the IAEA’s impartiality following recent conflicts. Simultaneously, Iran is involved in high-stakes negotiations with the EU-3 (United Kingdom, France, and Germany) about the future of the UN 'snapback' sanctions mechanism, which could reimpose sanctions if Iran is found in significant noncompliance, with a critical deadline looming in October 2025. Internally, some Iranian experts advocate reconsidering the nuclear doctrine, suggesting potential withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) given regional nuclear rivalries. Additionally, leaked documents reveal that Iranian scientists linked to defense research have conducted covert visits to Russian facilities to explore dual-use nuclear technologies that could accelerate weapons development, underscoring concerns about Iran maintaining technical capabilities despite an official halt of its weapons program. These developments reflect a complex interplay of diplomacy, legal maneuvering, and clandestine activity shaping Iran’s nuclear trajectory and regional security dynamics.