Iran announces upcoming visit by IAEA inspectors within two weeks

Iran announced on Monday an upcoming visit by inspectors from the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), signaling a potential resumption of technical talks.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the IAEA delegation would visit Iran within the next two weeks.

• IAEA Announces Departure of Inspectors from Iran

• Iranian President Approves Suspension of Cooperation with IAEA

This announcement comes just days after the agency’s Director General stated that Tehran was ready to resume technical negotiations.

Baghaei added that a guideline would be presented regarding the future of Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA, based on a recently passed parliamentary law that imposes restrictions on this cooperation.

According to the new law, which has now come into force, any future inspections of Iranian nuclear sites by the IAEA must receive approval from Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council.

• “Iran’s Nuclear Program”: IAEA Condemnation and Tehran’s Response

• Iran boosts uranium enrichment in response to IAEA pressure

The IAEA has emphasized the need to resume its inspections following Israeli and American airstrikes last month aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear program and denying it the ability to develop a nuclear weapon. Tehran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, affirming that its program is entirely peaceful.

The agency has expressed deep concern about the fate of Iran’s stockpile of roughly 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium.

• IAEA calls on Tehran to put relations back on track

• IAEA accuses Iran of increasing uranium enrichment

Baghaei reiterated Iran’s position that it is willing to resume indirect talks with the United States if it serves the national interest. However, he noted that there are currently no plans for a sixth round of nuclear negotiations with Washington.

Iran and the United States previously held five rounds of talks mediated by Oman, but the negotiations were suspended due to last month’s 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.

• Nuclear: Iran announces removal of two IAEA surveillance cameras

• Iran threatens International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

The discussions had encountered major sticking points, including Washington’s demand that Tehran cease domestic uranium enrichment.

Baghaei said on Monday that Iran should be allowed to enrich uranium, as it is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

• US to Iran: Grant Inspectors Access to Workshop or Face Action at IAEA

• IAEA deputy chief visits Iran for ”Routine” reasons

• After signaling the snapback mechanism: Iranian-European talks scheduled for Friday in Istanbul