Iran Meets IAEA Chief Ahead of Second Round of Talks with US
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said he would meet with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on Monday in Geneva, ahead of the second round of Iran-US nuclear talks aimed at defusing the dispute over Tehran's nuclear program and preventing a new conflict. This move comes amid rising regional tensions, including the deployment of US warships to the Middle East.
Araqchi said he came with "real ideas" for reaching a fair agreement, but emphasized that "surrender in the face of threats" was not part of the discussion. The two sides held indirect talks in Oman earlier this month to pave the way for negotiations.
The differences in negotiating positions remain wide. Washington is pushing to expand the scope of talks to non-nuclear issues such as missile weapons, while Tehran insists it is only willing to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief and rejects demands for "zero uranium enrichment." Iran also emphasizes that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes.
On the monitoring side, the IAEA continues to demand clarity on the status of its stockpile of approximately 440 kg of enriched uranium, as well as the return of full inspection access, including to the three main sites bombed last June: Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. The Araqchi-Grossi meeting is said to be attended by nuclear experts for in-depth technical discussions on verification and inspection access.
Security risks add to the sensitivity of the negotiations. Reuters reports that the US has deployed a second aircraft carrier and is preparing operational options that could potentially last several weeks if talks fail. In Iran, preparedness exercises—including chemical defense scenarios in the energy sector—are also being conducted to strengthen anticipation of potential escalation.
From Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that any agreement must include dismantling Iran's nuclear infrastructure, not just halting enrichment, and urged the removal of enriched material from Iran. This statement adds to the political pressure surrounding the diplomatic track, as Iran emphasizes a "confidence-building" approach that its enrichment is for peaceful purposes. (alg)
Source: Newsmaker.id
