IAEA Inspector Returns To Iran But Not To Continue Inspection

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas AragCHI. (Source: IRNA)

JAKARTA - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspector returned to Iran after briefly leaving the country, but not to conduct inspections of Tehran's nuclear facilities.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that inspectors from the IAEA had returned to Iran following the decision of the Highest National Security Council (SNSC) to oversee the refueling process at the Bushehr PLTN.

Foreign Minister Araghchi delivered the statement in an interview on Wednesday, responding to an IAEA official's statement about the return of inspectors to Iran.

He stressed that no final agreement has been reached regarding a new framework for cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

"Based on the law passed by Parliament, cooperation with the IAEA is subject to the decision of the Highest National Security Council. Therefore, all requests from the agency are submitted to SNSC," he explained, launching IRNA August 27.

The Iranian Foreign Minister further explained that the presence of IAEA inspectors was needed after a decision to replace fuel at the Bushehr PLTN was made.

It is known that IAEA inspectors left Iran in early July after Tehran suspended cooperation, citing the Agency's failure to prevent or condemn a coordinated US-Israeli attack on Iran's peaceful nuclear facility, which Tehran says constitutes a gross violation of international law and the UN Charter.

"Now the first team of IAEA inspectors has returned to Iran and we will start again soon," Director-General Rafael Grossi told Fox News earlier, quoted by The National.

"Regarding Iran, as you know, there are many facilities. Some were attacked, some were not," he continued.

"So we're discussing what kind of practical modality can be applied to facilitate the resumption of our work there," Grossi said.

Foreign Minister Araghchi clarified that no text has been finalized or approved regarding cooperation with the IAEA.

Instead, he said, both sides had exchanged views, and the UN nuclear watchdog had made written comments on several occasions.

"It's natural to exchange opinions on any issues to reach a conclusion," he added.

Earlier, IAEA deputy chief Masimo Aparo visited Tehran on August 11 for the first time since cooperation was suspended for talks with authorities to reach a new deal.

The IAEA has called for inspections to resume after the attack, which Iran must allow as a member of the global nuclear non-proliferation agreement.

The announcement of the return of this team of inspectors came after Iranian officials met representatives from three European countries (E3) Germany, Britain and France in Geneva. The countries have asked Tehran to allow the resumption of inspections.

"It has been decided that the contact between the two sides will continue in the coming days," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state TV after the meeting ended.

Tuesday's meeting was the second round of negotiations with European diplomats since the end of the 12-day war, which thwarted negotiations between Washington and Tehran.