Tehran announced on Tuesday that it has finalized a new procedural framework with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to implement safeguards commitments. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeel Baghaei said the agreement defines new interaction mechanisms following illegal US and Zionist attacks on its safeguarded nuclear facilities between June 13 and 24. Despite these “criminal” strikes, Tehran stressed its continued adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and reaffirmed its right to peaceful nuclear energy.
At a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the agreement marks a decisive step in maintaining dialogue and diplomacy. He emphasized that cooperation with the IAEA had become impossible under conditions where safeguarded facilities were targeted, but credited Egypt’s mediation with enabling a breakthrough. “Iranians are friends of all nations who work towards peace over conflict,” Araghchi said, while urging accountability for the human and material damage caused by the attacks.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi confirmed that practical modalities for inspections were agreed upon in Cairo, calling it “an important step in the right direction” and thanking Egypt for its engagement. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also welcomed the deal, describing it as a potentially crucial step for nuclear diplomacy if swiftly implemented.
