Iran and IAEA Chiefs Meet in Geneva Ahead of Critical Nuclear Talks with US

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi convened in Geneva on Monday for technical discussions. The meeting precedes a second round of indirect negotiations between Iranian and American delegations, scheduled to resume on Tuesday with Oman continuing its mediation role.

The talks focused on technical aspects of Iran's cooperation with the IAEA under existing safeguards agreements, as well as the legal framework established by Iran's parliament. The Iranian side also presented its technical perspectives regarding the ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States.

In a social media post, Grossi described the discussions as "in-depth" and preparatory for the important negotiations set for Geneva. Araghchi stated he arrived with "real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal," while firmly asserting that submission to threats was not an option.

The diplomatic push comes months after U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025 disrupted a previous negotiation track. Iranian officials maintain that their central demand is the effective and verifiable lifting of economic sanctions, arguing any agreement must deliver tangible economic benefits.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated Iran is participating in the new round with seriousness and a result-oriented approach, but expressed profound skepticism regarding Washington's intentions. He cited "shifting positions and contradictory statements" from American officials as creating an atmosphere of "full mistrust," compounded by the experience of being attacked during prior diplomacy.

"We were in the middle of negotiations, with even the sixth round scheduled, when we were subjected to military attack," Baghaei said. "The blow dealt to diplomacy is irreparable."

The Geneva talks are being held at the Omani mission, bringing together delegations led by Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Iran's team includes comprehensive political, legal, economic, and technical expertise necessary for decision-making on a potential agreement.

Baghaei dismissed media reports about U.S. Proposals to suspend uranium enrichment as "baseless," reiterating Iran's right under Article IV of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment activities.

The negotiations unfold against a backdrop of strained Iran-IAEA relations. Following the agency's failure to condemn last year's attacks, Iran's parliament passed a law suspending cooperation and granted its Supreme National Security Council authority over future inspections. While IAEA inspectors have visited unaffected sites like Bushehr, they have not accessed facilities at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz that were damaged.

Despite these tensions, Baghaei affirmed Iran remains engaged with the IAEA under its safeguards obligations and believes the agency can play a constructive role if it adheres strictly to its technical mandate. He rejected suggestions Tehran is seeking to prolong talks unnecessarily.

"Our people are under pressure from unjust sanctions," he said. "There is no benefit for us in prolonging negotiations."