AEOI chief urges IAEA neutrality as Iran defends enrichment rights
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During a joint press conference in Tehran, Iranian nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami emphasized Iran’s demand for impartiality from the IAEA, warning against politicized rhetoric, and announced upcoming technical talks aimed at strengthening cooperation on Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.
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Iranian nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami. (Tasnim)
Iranian nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami reaffirmed Tehran's principled demand for neutrality and professionalism from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during a joint press conference Thursday with the agency's director general, Rafael Grossi, who visited Tehran amid a renewed wave of diplomacy surrounding Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
"Iran's consistent expectation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is to uphold impartiality and professional conduct," Eslami stated, reiterating Iran's rightful insistence on a non-politicized approach to nuclear oversight.
He cautioned against the use of language that could serve the interests of those hostile to the Islamic Republic. "Phrases and terminology should not be used in ways that could be exploited by Iran's adversaries or those opposing the Islamic Republic," he warned, noting that Grossi shared this concern.
Eslami also announced that deputy officials from both the AEOI and the IAEA would soon hold technical meetings to advance cooperation and address any remaining matters. "In the coming days, the deputy officials from both the IAEA and the AEOI will discuss the details of cooperation and work on resolving outstanding issues," he said.
Diplomatic Resolve
Grossi's visit, marking a continuation of Iran's open-door policy with international agencies, comes at a critical moment, as Iran engages constructively in indirect negotiations with the United States.
While Western powers have repeatedly violated the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed illegal sanctions, Iran has continued to demonstrate transparency and cooperation, allowing inspectors access and remaining a signatory to all major non-proliferation agreements.
During his stay in Tehran, Grossi also met with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who leads Iran's delegation in the Oman-mediated talks with Washington.
Araqchi made it clear that Iran's right to enrich uranium is non-negotiable and fully legal under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. "Enrichment is a real and accepted issue, and we are ready for trust-building about possible concerns, but the issue of enrichment is non-negotiable," he stated.
Grossi reaffirmed the IAEA's willingness to play a supportive role in the ongoing negotiations, saying, "We are in a very crucial stage of these important negotiations. We know we don't have much time, this is why I am here... to facilitate this process."
He added that he remains in contact with the American side in an effort to bridge gaps and ensure any agreement is verifiable and credible.
Read more: IAEA should be involved in Iran-US nuclear talks, chief says in Tehran
Despite alarmist claims by some Western figures, such as Grossi's earlier comment to Le Monde suggesting Iran was "not far" from nuclear weapons capability, Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
Its position has been repeatedly confirmed through IAEA inspections and reaffirmed in statements by Iranian officials.
