Araqchi Gives Details of Meeting with IAEA Chief

Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Thursday, Araqchi said, “This morning, at the start of Mr. Grossi’s visit to Tehran, we held our first meeting. The discussions were very constructive and positive. We had fruitful negotiations on the path of our cooperation with the Agency over the next year, which will be a critical period regarding Iran’s nuclear issue. We clarified the path for Iran’s cooperation with the Agency. I emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared for nuclear negotiations and cooperation within the framework of previous agreements with the Agency. However, it depends on how serious the other parties are in this matter.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran entered into the JCPOA with goodwill and implemented it faithfully. It were the other parties that withdrew from the agreement. Since we are confident in the peaceful nature of our nuclear program, we have no issues with cooperating with the Agency. We are ready to continue this cooperation, provided that the other parties fulfill their obligations and duties in this framework,” the Iranian foreign minister added.

“The discussions were good in terms of outlining a new path to reduce the tensions that currently exist between us, the Agency, and other stakeholders regarding the nuclear issue. We hope it will be possible to restart negotiations to find a reasonable solution to these ongoing issues before the situation escalates further,” he noted.

“Our cooperation with the Agency is based on the understandings reached during this visit, and previous agreements will also be considered. The primary course of action between the IAEA and our Atomic Energy Organization will be set, and technical steps to be taken will be agreed upon there. Politically, we have agreed to hopefully embark on a new path together,” Araqchi added, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

“There is no sensible solution other than negotiation to resolve these issues. The path of confrontation has been tried before, and it could be attempted again in the future. Resolutions were issued before, and they can issue more. However, the resolutions have not only failed to solve the issue but have complicated and intensified the problem, even causing greater concern for those who issued them. Confrontation is not a beneficial path for any party. Cooperation should be the way forward. We are prepared to collaborate in this regard and hope that the other parties will also adopt a rational policy,” he stated.