Iran, IAEA Sign Agreement To Restart Nuclear Cooperation Talks

Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed an agreement on Tuesday to facilitate the resumption of cooperation, including inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities. The deal was finalised during a meeting in Cairo involving Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Described as technical in nature, the agreement aims to address the need for inspections under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, with Grossi calling it "a step in the right direction". Egypt's foreign ministry highlighted its role in the "intensive" diplomatic efforts leading to this development.

The agreement focuses on restarting IAEA inspections, which have been limited since Iran suspended full cooperation in July following a 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June. During that conflict, Iranian nuclear sites were targeted, prompting Tehran to halt broader engagements with the UN watchdog. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that the deal addresses Iran's security concerns and outlines technical requirements for cooperation but warned that any "hostile act", such as the reimposition of UN sanctions, could terminate it. The only recent IAEA access has been to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant for a fuel replacement procedure in late August.

This development comes amid heightened international scrutiny, as Iran has accumulated a significant stockpile of near bomb-grade uranium, with IAEA reports indicating 440.9 kilograms enriched to 60% as of June. European nations, including France, Germany, and the UK, initiated a "snapback" mechanism on August 28 to potentially reinstate sanctions over Iran's non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas cautiously welcomed the agreement, emphasising the need for rapid implementation to advance nuclear diplomacy and avoid escalation.

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The agreement underscores ongoing efforts to balance nuclear non-proliferation with Iran's rights to peaceful atomic energy use, as noted by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. However, challenges persist, including verifying Iran's uranium stockpile and addressing geopolitical tensions. If fully implemented, it could pave the way for negotiations with the US and extend deadlines for sanctions, though details remain limited pending further action.

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