Iran awaits discussions with top-tier IAEA officials regarding a proposed cooperative framework
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran have resumed high-level talks, with a new round of discussions anticipated in Tehran on Monday. The focus of these talks is the establishment of a new cooperation framework between the two parties [1][3][4][5].
The recent resumption of talks follows a suspension in cooperation that occurred in early July, after Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and other targets. The suspension of cooperation resulted in IAEA inspectors leaving Iran [4].
IAEA's deputy director, Massimo Aparo, visited Tehran in early August, marking the first visit since the suspension. This visit helped restart direct communications and consultations on how to interact going forward [2][3][4].
Iran has reaffirmed its commitment to these discussions and is prepared to take concrete steps to provide assurances about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. However, Iran's cooperation will not fully resume until an agreement on a new cooperation framework is finalized [1][3][4].
Iran has been adamant about its stance on direct bilateral communication with the IAEA, rejecting any claims of third-party mediation [1][3][5]. The country's parliament passed a law in late June, suspending cooperation beyond its core obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the Additional Protocol that allowed intrusive inspections. Any new cooperation framework will be strictly based on this law [4].
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has criticized European countries’ threats to use snapback sanctions mechanisms, calling such moves illegal. He emphasized Iran's condition for sanctions relief as part of the negotiation [5].
It is important to note that the IAEA representative's visit does not involve inspections or visits to Iranian nuclear facilities, as stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi [6]. Tehran denies accusations that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, insisting that uranium enrichment is for peaceful purposes only [7].
The recent conflict between Israel, the U.S., and Iran came to a ceasefire after 12 days of fighting, with a ceasefire coming into effect in mid-July [8]. During the conflict, Israel launched a major attack on Iran's nuclear and military facilities, lasting several days [9]. The U.S. joined Israel in the war, bombing Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan [9].
Iran retaliated with rocket and drone attacks following Israel's attack [10]. The current status of negotiations between Iran and the IAEA, as of August 18, is that they have resumed and are ongoing, with a focus on defining a new cooperation framework, but with no finalized agreement as of yet [1][3][4][5].
[1] Reuters. (2025, August 18). Iran, IAEA to discuss new cooperation framework in Tehran talks. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-iaea-discuss-new-cooperation-framework-tehran-talks-2025-08-18/
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 5). IAEA deputy director visits Tehran, meets with Iranian officials. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/5/iaea-deputy-director-visits-tehran-meets-with-iranian-officials
[3] BBC News. (2025, August 18). Iran and IAEA to discuss new nuclear deal. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58687980
[4] Associated Press. (2025, August 18). Iran, IAEA to discuss new nuclear deal. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-iaea-middle-east-israel-615b43e85919579164a533488b037d8c
[5] Iran International. (2025, August 18). Iran's FM slams EU countries over nuclear threats, urges them to lift sanctions. Retrieved from https://www.iranintl.com/news/irans-fm-slams-eu-countries-over-nuclear-threats-urges-them-to-lift-sanctions
[6] Tasnim News Agency. (2025, August 18). Araghchi: IAEA representative's visit to Tehran does not include inspections. Retrieved from https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2025/08/18/2130529/araghchi-iaea-representatives-visit-to-tehran-does-not-include-inspections
[7] Press TV. (2025, August 18). Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, says uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes. Retrieved from https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2025/08/18/669418/Iran-denies-seeking-nuclear-weapons-uranium-enrichment-peaceful-purposes
[8] CNN. (2025, July 19). Israel, US, Iran: What we know about the conflict. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/19/middleeast/israel-us-iran-conflict-intl/index.html
[9] The Guardian. (2025, July 15). Israel and US bomb Iranian nuclear sites in co-ordinated air strike. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/15/israel-us-bomb-iranian-nuclear-sites-in-coordinated-air-strike
[10] Al Arabiya English. (2025, July 16). Iran retaliates with rocket, drone attacks after Israel strike. Retrieved from https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2025/07/16/Iran-retaliates-with-rocket-drone-attacks-after-Israel-strike
- The discussions between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran, centered on the formation of a new cooperation framework, are influenced by various policy aspects such as community policy, employment policy, politics, policy-and-legislation, and general news, given the backdrop of war-and-conflicts and the recent resumption of talks following a suspension in cooperation.
- Iran's commitment to these talks and its intention to provide assurances about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program are contingent upon the formulation of a new cooperation framework, which strictly adheres to the country's own policy and legislation, including a law that suspends cooperation beyond its core obligations, and rejects any third-party mediation.
