Grossi Outlines Progress in Talks With Iran, Expresses Hope for Renewed Cooperation

According to Rokna, Grossi stated at the IAEA’s seasonal Board of Governors meeting, which opened today in Vienna and will continue until Friday, September 12: “Progress has been made with respect to Iran, and we hope to achieve a successful outcome in the coming days to resume our cooperation with Iran.”

Board of Governors Session

Iran’s Safeguards Agreement With the IAEA in Force

In his opening remarks, Grossi said that reviewing Iran’s nuclear program had been the central focus of the Agency’s efforts in recent weeks, particularly following the attacks in June.

“As you recall,” he added, “I have repeatedly referred to this matter, both orally and extensively here at the Board of Governors, at the UN Security Council, and in my reports to the Board, which included considerable detail on this issue.”

The Director General further explained that he has been in consistent contact with Iran with the aim of addressing its concerns and facilitating swift and practical methods of cooperation.

Grossi noted that the Agency had carefully monitored developments in Tehran, especially the June 25 parliamentary resolution on suspending cooperation with the IAEA, which was subsequently approved by Iran’s president on July 2.

“I expressed my readiness in discussions with Iran to take this development into account,” he said, while emphasizing that although domestic legislation may create obligations internally, such laws are not binding on the IAEA.

Grossi stressed that Iran’s safeguards agreement under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) remains in force, describing it as the only legally binding treaty governing the rights and obligations of both sides in the implementation of safeguards.

Accordingly, the IAEA’s safeguards measures in Iran remain applicable, as in any other country with a comprehensive safeguards agreement.

IAEA Ready to Address Iran’s Concerns and Proposals

Grossi added: “I understand the current situation and have expressed the Agency’s readiness to examine Iran’s concerns and proposals, insofar as they are consistent with the comprehensive safeguards agreement. In recent weeks we have held technical discussions in Tehran and Vienna aimed at reaching a practical arrangement for verification contacts. Progress has been made, and I sincerely hope we can achieve a successful outcome to facilitate the full resumption of our essential activities in Iran.”

The Director General expressed confidence that with pragmatic measures, along with other diplomatic efforts, a more promising atmosphere could emerge, paving the way toward positive results.

He emphasized the importance of Iran-IAEA cooperation, saying that full implementation of rights and obligations under the NPT safeguards agreement was crucial for improving the overall situation.

“There is still time, although not much,” Grossi said. “But when goodwill exists and responsibility is clearly felt, progress is possible.”

Grossi on Board of Governors’ Session

Technical Talks With Iran Have Been Held

In another part of his remarks, Grossi referred to his quarterly report on Iran’s NPT safeguards agreement and verification under UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

He recalled that on June 13, 2025, he reported to both the Board of Governors and the UN Security Council that the Agency had been informed of Israeli military operations targeting several nuclear facilities in Iran. The United States also participated in these strikes, which continued until June 24, 2025.

He stated that the IAEA subsequently suspended verification activities in Iran, and by the end of June, due to security concerns arising from the attacks and the overall situation, the Agency withdrew its inspectors from the country.

Grossi noted that following the attacks, Iran’s president approved the parliamentary resolution suspending cooperation with the IAEA. Since June 13, the Agency has not received nuclear material accountancy reports or updated design information questionnaires from Iran, nor has it had access to any safeguarded nuclear facilities other than the Bushehr power plant, which inspectors visited in recent days.

The Director General emphasized that since the suspension of operations, he had underlined the importance of restoring normal cooperation between Iran and the Agency in order to ensure continued compliance with the NPT safeguards agreement. He said that since August 11, technical talks had been underway with senior Iranian officials on practical measures aimed at fully restoring safeguards implementation in Iran.

According to Grossi, “The Agency has expressed readiness to discuss updated approaches regarding safeguarded facilities in Iran, taking into account Tehran’s security concerns, provided these approaches are consistent with the rights and obligations of Iran and the IAEA under the NPT safeguards agreement.”

“Reza Najafi, Iran’s Representative to International Organizations in Vienna”

“I am concerned about the curtailment of verification activities in Iran.”

Grossi voiced concern over the curtailment of verification activities in Iran, stressing: “I am particularly worried that the Agency has had no access to verify enriched uranium in Iran for three months. This means verification has been delayed compared to the Agency’s standard safeguards procedures.”

He added that without the full resumption of safeguards implementation in Iran, the IAEA will not be in a position to provide any conclusions or assurances regarding the country’s nuclear program. He called for technical modalities enabling the Agency to resume full inspections to be finalized without delay, expressing confidence that such an agreement remains possible.