Araghchi Meets IAEA Chief Ahead of US Talks

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva for a critical second round of nuclear negotiations with Washington, holding talks Monday with Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The discussions come amid renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation following a brief but intense 12-day conflict in June that saw US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

“Fair and Equitable Deal” But No Submission

Writing on X, Araghchi said he had come to Geneva with “real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,” while making clear that Iran would not capitulate under pressure.

“What is not on the table: submission before threats,” he wrote.

Tehran has repeatedly rejected Washington’s demand for zero uranium enrichment, maintaining that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. Iranian officials also consider the country’s ballistic missile programme a non-negotiable “red line.”

IAEA Access and Technical Discussions

Araghchi’s meeting with Grossi focused on what Iranian officials described as a “deep technical discussion.” The IAEA has been seeking access to key nuclear facilities damaged during the June hostilities.

According to Tehran, inspection efforts face complications due to potential radiation risks at sites where highly enriched uranium is believed to be buried under debris. Iranian authorities say formal protocols must be established before inspectors can safely conduct what would be an unprecedented verification operation.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told the state-run IRNA news agency that the IAEA would play “an important role” in the mediated talks. However, he also criticized Grossi for not condemning the strikes on Iranian facilities protected under safeguards linked to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Omani Mediation and Regional Stakes

Araghchi is also expected to meet Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, whose government facilitated the first round of post-conflict talks between Iran and the United States earlier this month.

The renewed negotiations take place as Washington increases its military presence in the region, including deploying additional naval assets. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has warned that further confrontation could escalate into a broader regional conflict.

With both sides publicly hardening their positions while keeping diplomatic channels open, the Geneva talks are widely seen as a decisive test of whether diplomacy can prevent another round of military escalation in the Middle East.