NextFin news, On August 11, 2025, Tehran, Iran, welcomed a senior delegation from the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for talks aimed at discussing modalities of technical cooperation. The visit, confirmed by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, did not include any inspections of nuclear sites, which remain off-limits due to security and safety concerns following recent air strikes.
Gharibabadi stated that the delegation's purpose was to engage in dialogue rather than conduct site visits, emphasizing that Iran's Atomic Energy Organization is still assessing damages to nuclear facilities caused by June air strikes attributed to Israel and the United States. He noted the risks of radiation and the lack of a credible damage report as reasons for withholding site access.
The visit comes amid heightened international scrutiny over Iran's nuclear program, especially concerning approximately 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium whose status remains unclear to the IAEA. Iran denies any intention to develop nuclear weapons, asserting its program is for civilian purposes only.
Iran's parliament has passed legislation requiring that any future cooperation with the IAEA, including inspections, must be approved by the Supreme National Security Council, reflecting Tehran's cautious stance on nuclear oversight.
In addition to hosting the IAEA delegation, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi indicated ongoing diplomatic efforts, including upcoming meetings with European powers Britain, France, and Germany in Istanbul to discuss the 2015 nuclear deal framework. Separate indirect talks with the United States continue, mediated by Oman, focusing on transparency measures and sanctions relief.
The IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has been actively engaging with all parties involved in the Iran nuclear issue, underscoring the agency's interest in resuming inspections and technical dialogue to monitor Iran's nuclear activities.
This visit marks a tentative step in diplomatic engagement between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog, reflecting a complex balance between Iran's security concerns and international demands for transparency in its nuclear program.
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