Iran says it ‘cannot completely’ break with UN nuclear watchdog

Iran “cannot completely cut cooperation” with the UN nuclear watchdog but the return of its inspectors is up to the country’s security chiefs, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says.

The remarks come nearly two months after Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency following its 12-day war with Israel in June.

Iran has cited the IAEA’s failure to condemn Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities as the reason for its decision, which saw the watchdog’s inspectors leave the country following the passing of new legislation by parliament.

“We cannot completely cut cooperation with the agency,” Araghchi says, noting that new fuel rods need to be installed at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant in the coming weeks which will require the presence of IAEA inspectors.

“Under the law passed by parliament, the return of inspectors will be possible through a decision of the Supreme National Security Council,” he told the official IRNA news agency in an interview published Wednesday, referring to Iran’s top security body.