Iran willing to resolve nuclear disputes with IAEA, but not under pressure, says Iran foreign minister

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday that they are open to resolving their differences with the United Nations nuclear agency regarding its adherence to safeguards on its nuclear programme, but will not do so under pressure.

Araqchi’s comments came after meeting with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi  on Thursday.

Important & straightforward talks with DG @rafaelmgrossi this morning.

As a committed member of NPT we continue our full cooperation with the IAEA. Differences can be resolved through cooperation and dialogue. We agreed to proceed with courage and good will.

Iran has never… pic.twitter.com/bwLLzrKzwE

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) November 14, 2024

Taking to X, Araqchi said, “As a committed member of NPT we continue our full cooperation with the IAEA. Differences can be resolved through cooperation and dialogue. We agreed to proceed with courage and good will. Iran has never left the negotiation table on its peaceful nuclear program.”

“The ball is in the EU/E3 court. Willing to negotiate based on our national interest & our inalienable rights, but NOT ready to negotiate under pressure and intimidation,” he added, referring to the three main European powers, France, Germany, and Britain.

European powers are advocating for a new resolution against Iran at next week’s IAEA board meeting, aiming to exert pressure on Tehran over what they consider inadequate cooperation, according to diplomats speaking to Reuters on Wednesday.

IAEA Director Grossi has been pressing Iran for months to make progress on key issues, including increased monitoring at its nuclear sites and providing an explanation for traces of uranium found at undeclared locations.

The talks took place with Donald Trump due to take office again as US President in January. During his previous tenure, the United States pulled out of the 2015 accord between Iran and several world powers aimed at curbing its suspected nuclear missile programme.

Araqchi said the talks with Grossi were “important and straightforward”, while the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation Mohammad Eslami said they were “constructive”.

With inputs from agencies