More than a month after Iran suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), relations resumed. On Monday, August 11, the IAEA's deputy director, Massimo Aparo, traveled to Tehran, marking the agency's first visit since the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June. According to Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, who was quoted by the Iranian news agency IRNA, after discussions about the "method of interaction between the agency and Iran," both sides agreed to continue consultations.

The previous day, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had announced the visit would launch "negotiations (…) to define the framework for cooperation," clarifying that no inspections of nuclear sites were planned. Nevertheless, the visit reflected Tehran's willingness to ease tensions with the international community over its nuclear program and to resume negotiations with Washington. Six rounds of talks had already taken place before the war, but they were unsuccessful.

On June 12, the IAEA Board of Governors published two reports accusing Iran of violating its nonproliferation commitments. The following day, Israel attacked several Iranian sites. During the 12-day war, Israel bombed key military and nuclear installations, killing scientists and civilians, with US support at the end of the conflict. On July 3, Tehran suspended its cooperation with the IAEA, citing its lack of impartiality.

You have 69.59% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.