Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, speaking to American reporters on the sidelines of UN meetings in New York, said the visit would focus on working out a new framework for cooperation and not on inspecting nuclear sites.
“Given the new circumstances, the implementation of commitments requires fresh discussions with the Agency. This is an important matter,” he stated.
Gharibabadi said a bill passed by Iran’s Parliament mandates the suspension of all cooperation with the and that its resumption depends on ensuring the safety and security of Iran’s nuclear facilities and personnel.
“Accordingly, we have agreed to the visit of the technical team to Tehran within the next two to three weeks to discuss the framework for cooperation,” he noted.
The senior diplomat characterized the decision as another gesture of goodwill by Iran, despite its dissatisfaction with the ’s approach.
“We hope this initiative will be welcomed and that they will value such cooperation and goodwill,” he said.
Tensions between Iran and the have been particularly high during the tenure of its current secretary general, Rafael Grossi.
This strain has deepened after Grossi laid the groundwork for an anti-Iran resolution by raising what Iran calls unfounded allegations in his latest report, as well as after he refused to condemn US-Israeli actions against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Iran has accused Grossi, who has been in frequent contact with Israeli officials, of using fabricated documents provided by the regime to justify allegations against Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities.
‘No stop to uranium enrichment’
Addressing Iran’s nuclear policy, Gharibabadi reiterated that Iran will continue enriching uranium based on its own needs.
“Iran will enrich uranium based on its own needs. We must have the capability to carry out everything we require,” he stressed.
He dismissed suggestions of a voluntary enrichment freeze as a goodwill gesture in talks with Western countries, citing past disappointments and warning against reliance on third-party enforcement.
“We have bitter experience in this area and cannot rely on a third-party enforcer,” he said, referring to the refusal of Western and other countries to supply Iran with enriched uranium for the Tehran nuclear research reactor.
‘Iran responds to snapback activation’
On threats by the three European members of the 2015 nuclear deal to invoke the accord’s so-called snapback mechanism to restore anti-Iran sanctions, Gharibabadi warned that Iran will react seriously to such a decision.
“In fact, the Europeans have no right to initiate the snapback mechanism. But if they do, Iran will not remain passive. We will respond. We are obliged to respond,” he said.
The diplomat added that he cannot rule out Iran deciding to withdraw from the NPT, noting that the decision has previously been considered by Iran’s former administration.
“That option remains on the table. However, what other measures Iran may take is still under review by officials in Tehran. Without a doubt, there will be a reaction, part of which has already been determined,” the diplomat said.
Press TV