IAEA Inspectors in Iran to Oversee Bushehr Nuclear Plant Refueling: FM
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reassured the MPs that the return of IAEA inspectors to Iran is solely to oversee the scheduled refueling of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, stressing that cooperation with the UN nuclear agency will fully comply with Iranian law.
In comments after a meeting with the members of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission on Wednesday, Araqchi explained that according to a law passed by the legislature, all requests for cooperation with the IAEA must first be submitted to the Supreme National Security Council for approval.
“Thus, in accordance with the law, all interactions with the agency (IAEA) are carried out within a framework that safeguards the interests of the Iranian nation,” he said.
Regarding the Bushehr nuclear reactor, Araqchi confirmed that decisions have been made to allow the replacement of nuclear fuel under the supervision of the IAEA inspectors, and any cooperation will strictly follow the legal framework set by the Parliament.
Reacting to comments by a lawmaker about the finalization of a cooperation agreement with the IAEA concerning a new modality, Araqchi said, “No text has been formally approved yet. Some viewpoints have been exchanged between the two sides, and the IAEA has submitted its opinions in writing multiple times. It is natural in any negotiation that the parties exchange views until a final conclusion is reached.”
Araqchi also pointed to the main topics discussed with the parliamentary commission, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor, nuclear negotiations with the European parties, discussions with the IAEA, and issues related to the snapback mechanism and its extension.
