Iran Signals Possible Resumption of Nuclear Talks, IAEA Visit Scheduled

The United Nations nuclear watchdog is scheduled to visit Iran within the next two weeks, according to Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, on Monday. This announcement comes shortly after the agency’s director indicated that Tehran is prepared to resume technical discussions.

Baghaei also mentioned that a guideline concerning Iran’s future cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be submitted, reflecting a recent parliamentary law that limits such collaboration.

The newly enacted law requires that any future inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities by the IAEA must receive approval from Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council.

The IAEA has emphasized the need to restart inspections following Israeli and U.S. airstrikes last month targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, which aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran, however, consistently denies any intention to acquire nuclear arms and maintains that its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes.

The UN agency remains particularly concerned about the location and status of Iran’s roughly 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium.

Baghaei reaffirmed Iran’s stance that it would be willing to resume indirect negotiations with the United States if it serves national interests, but added that no plans currently exist for a sixth round of nuclear talks with Washington.

Iran and the U.S. previously conducted five rounds of talks brokered by Oman, which were put on hold following last month’s 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.

These negotiations faced significant hurdles, including the U.S. demand that Iran halt its domestic uranium enrichment activities.

Baghaei stated on Monday that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran has the right to enrich uranium.