The head of the UN atomic energy watchdog visited this Friday two nuclear facilities as part of a visit to Iranin advance of an expected European diplomatic push on the Islamic republic’s atomic activities before Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
During the visit, the Iranian foreign minister told the head of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)Rafael Grossithat Tehran is willing to resolve outstanding disputes over its nuclear program, but will not succumb to pressure.
Grossi visited the Natanz nuclear power plant and the Fordow enrichment centerdug into a mountain about 100 km south of the capital Tehran, state media reported, without giving further details.
Relations between the sides have soured over several long-standing issues, including Iran’s ban on the agency’s uranium enrichment experts from entering the country and its failure to explain uranium remains found at unlicensed sites. declared.
Since 2019, Iran has enriched uranium well above permitted levels, although Grossi has assured that it has not developed nuclear weapons.
During his visit, Grossi met with the president of Iran, Masud Pezeshkian; the Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, and the head of the Atomic Energy Agency of Iran (AEAI), Mohamed Eslami.
“The ball is on the side of the EU/E3”Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote in
“Willing to negotiate on the basis of our national interest and our inalienable rights, but not willing to negotiate under pressure and intimidation”Araqchi highlighted.
The French Foreign Ministry spokesman told reporters that the three European powers would wait to see the results of Grossi’s visit before deciding how to respond.
Trump’s return to the US presidency in January upends nuclear diplomacy with Iran, which had stalled under Joe Biden’s administration after months of indirect talks.
During Trump’s first term, Washington abandoned a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers. that stopped Tehran’s nuclear work in exchange for relief from international sanctions.
Trump has not clarified whether he will resume his “maximum pressure” policy on Iran when he takes office.
(With information from EFE and Reuters)
