Iran To Continue IAEA Talks Despite Curbing Nuclear Access

Iran said on Monday that it will continue negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) even after limiting the agency’s access to its nuclear facilities, which inspectors have been unable to visit since Israeli and U.S. strikes in June. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told state media that another round of talks is expected in the coming days, emphasizing that communication with the agency remains ongoing. His comments followed Tehran’s decision to suspend cooperation under a parliamentary law that now requires Supreme National Security Council approval for future inspections .

The latest tensions come after the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors declared Iran in breach of non-proliferation obligations on May 31. Tehran accused the agency of “paving the way” for the subsequent Israeli and U.S. strikes that damaged nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict. Baghaei acknowledged that the level of relations with the IAEA has changed but stressed that dialogue continues.

Iran has consistently denied Western suspicions of pursuing nuclear weapons, reiterating its commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which allows only peaceful nuclear activity. Last month, parliament passed a law suspending cooperation with the IAEA, limiting inspections to cases approved by the Supreme National Security Council. While IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has said inspections remain a top priority, Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is solely civilian in nature .