Nournews: Iran’s nuclear file has entered a sensitive and complicated stage. After the military attacks by the U.S. and the Israeli regime on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and the tensions that followed, trust between Tehran and the IAEA was seriously damaged. Now, with Cairo hosting new nuclear diplomacy, there is a chance to rebuild this trust and agree on a mechanism that can both meet Iran’s demands and address some concerns of the Agency.
Araghchi and Grossi in Cairo
The simultaneous trips of Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, and Rafael Grossi, the IAEA director-general, to Egypt under the mediation of Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty show the peak of efforts to bring Tehran and the Agency back to talks. Tehran has stressed that it will not accept an agreement until its demands and concerns are fully resolved, but the Cairo meeting may provide the opportunity to finalize ongoing talks and agree on a new cooperation framework.
Egypt, with its geopolitical position, wide ties with the West, and recent closeness to Iran, is seeking an independent mediating role. It hopes to use its past stance against military attacks on Iran to rebuild confidence between Tehran and the IAEA. Regional analysts believe Egypt’s role can affect not only Iran–IAEA relations but also Tehran’s ties with the West. However, the success of Egypt’s mediation depends on its diplomatic capacity and the political will of the main parties. Experience shows that without real political will from Iran and the West, no mediator can change the path of the nuclear case.
A new cooperation framework
In recent weeks, three rounds of talks between Iran and the IAEA have been held, leading to a new cooperation framework. This framework tries to align Iran’s safeguards commitments with realities on the ground after the illegal attacks, parliament’s law, and the considerations of the Supreme National Security Council. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has said the text is in its final stages, and the Araghchi–Grossi meeting may complete it.
According to the IAEA’s report, the recent attacks have prevented inspectors from doing needed fieldwork to verify changes in Iran’s nuclear stockpile. By June 13, Iran had 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent, showing an increase from the Agency’s previous report. Grossi said he understands Iran’s situation after the attacks and is ready to examine Iran’s concerns within the safeguards framework. In a press conference, he stressed the importance of continued cooperation with Iran, saying: “We take Iran’s security concerns seriously and are ready to talk to provide more assurances.” He also expressed hope that Iran would remain committed to the NPT.
Iran’s long nuclear diplomacy
Despite attacks, pressures, and biased reports, Iran has remained committed to diplomacy. Tehran says it seeks conditional and balanced cooperation based on international law and the NPT, and calls the European troika’s snapback process illegal and baseless. Cairo’s diplomacy can provide a chance for Iran and the Agency to reach a practical and safe framework through mutual understanding of each other’s conditions and limits.
Since the 1990s, Iran’s nuclear issue has seen many ups and downs. While Iran says it only seeks peaceful nuclear energy, the West has always expressed concerns about possible military dimensions. The 2015 JCPOA placed restrictions on Iran’s program in exchange for sanctions relief. But the U.S. unilateral withdrawal and reimposition of sanctions showed the West’s lack of real will for a peaceful solution, reducing Iran’s trust in Western goodwill and the independence of international institutions. This situation also created new challenges for Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA.
Egypt’s efforts can complement the mediation roles previously played by Oman and Qatar, showing that Arab states can also play an active role in sensitive issues like Iran’s nuclear file. The latest Iran–IAEA talks, held alongside the IAEA Board of Governors’ meeting, led to three main results:
1.The Agency saw that Iran’s safeguards cannot be applied in the same way as before the attacks, since the situation is unique.
2.Security concerns of Iran’s facilities, parliament’s law, and the Supreme National Security Council’s guidance became central to the talks.
3.The talks so far have been positive, and the Cairo meeting is expected to finalize them.
The time left before possible UN sanctions return is more important for the West than for Tehran, as it is a test of the West’s commitment to law and its obligations.
Looking ahead
The key question now is whether Egypt’s mediation can open a new path for cooperation between Iran and the Agency, or if it is just a temporary stop. The success of these efforts depends on three factors:
1.Flexibility of Western countries and the IAEA in recognizing Iran’s nuclear rights and obeying international law.
2.Iran’s willingness to show balanced transparency and cooperate with the Agency.
3.Egypt’s diplomatic capacity to manage trust between the sides.
If these factors come together, the Cairo talks could be a turning point, moving Iran–IAEA cooperation from stagnation toward active and smart engagement. The nuclear file is entering a new stage, where regional diplomacy and independent mediation can play a decisive role. Egypt’s efforts to bring Iran and the IAEA back to talks reflect a new understanding of Iran’s realities and may pave the way for a practical and secure agreement. Still, without real political will from the parties, no mediator can change the course of the case. The success of the Cairo talks could start a new chapter in Iran’s nuclear diplomacy — one that redefines the balance between resistance, engagement, and international law.