Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
United Nations, Jul 24: Iran has agreed to receive a technical delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) within the next two to three weeks, a move officials describe as a goodwill gesture amid continued tensions over its nuclear program.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed the planned visit, clarifying that the IAEA team would not inspect nuclear sites but would discuss the framework for technical cooperation. “The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran is still assessing damages at our nuclear installations. The visit will focus on modalities, not site inspections,” he said.
Gharibabadi added that any future negotiations with the United States would only occur indirectly. His comments followed a special briefing held with the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, where he detailed alleged acts of aggression by the US and Israel against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
He reiterated that Iran’s parliament has already passed a bill suspending all cooperation with the IAEA until the safety of Iran’s nuclear personnel and facilities is guaranteed. Allowing the technical team’s visit, he said, is a signal of goodwill from Tehran — despite its frustration with the agency’s leadership.
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have escalated, particularly under IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Tehran has accused Grossi of bias and of using alleged falsified documents provided by Israel to support claims against Iran’s peaceful nuclear efforts. Iran has also criticised him for not condemning alleged Israeli and US sabotage of Iranian nuclear sites.
Responding to questions about uranium enrichment, Gharibabadi said Iran would continue enrichment activities based on its own needs and dismissed any possibility of voluntary limits as part of negotiations. He cited past failures by the West to provide Iran with nuclear fuel as justification for self-reliance. “We’ve been disappointed before. We cannot trust third parties to meet our nuclear needs,” he said.
On threats from the European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal to activate the snapback mechanism to restore sanctions, Gharibabadi warned Iran would respond forcefully. “They have no right to invoke it. But if they do, Iran will not stay silent,” he stated.
He also did not rule out the possibility of Iran withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), confirming it remains an option under consideration. “That’s still on the table. A response is coming, and parts of it have already been decided,” he added.