IAEA Inspectors’ Return to Iran Approved by Supreme National Security Council, Says Araghchi

Tehran, The Gulf Observer: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Wednesday that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have returned to Iran to monitor the refueling process at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, following a decision by the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

Speaking in an interview, Araghchi confirmed that the inspectors’ return was directly tied to the SNSC’s decision, stressing that cooperation with the IAEA remains conditional.

“Under the law enacted by Parliament, cooperation with the IAEA is subject to the decision of the Supreme National Security Council. Therefore, all requests from the Agency are submitted to the SNSC,” he stated.

The foreign minister clarified that while exchanges with the UN nuclear watchdog continue, no final agreement has yet been reached on a new cooperation framework. He noted that the two sides have shared viewpoints and that the IAEA has provided written comments on multiple occasions.

Araghchi emphasized that the inspectors’ presence was necessary once the decision was made to replace fuel at the Bushehr facility. He added that ongoing discussions remain in the exploratory stage: “It’s natural to exchange opinions on any issue in order to eventually reach a conclusion.”