Iran Signs New Cooperation Deal with UN Nuclear Watchdog in Cairo

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Photo:AP

Iran has agreed to a new framework for cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. This comes after Iran suspended all cooperation with the agency following a short but intense war with Israel in June. That 12-day conflict included Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, which Iran strongly condemned as illegal and a threat to international peace.

The agreement was signed in Cairo, Egypt, by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Both officials called the deal “an important and positive step forward” in restoring dialogue and cooperation between Iran and the international nuclear community.

This is the first high-level meeting between Iran and the IAEA since Tehran halted cooperation in June. At that time, Iran accused the IAEA of failing to strongly condemn the attacks on its nuclear facilities and announced that future cooperation would follow a “new form” designed to protect Iran’s national security.

What the Agreement Means

During a joint press conference, Mr. Araghchi explained that the framework respects Iran’s domestic law, which had suspended full cooperation with the IAEA. He said:

“What we are doing is protecting our rights while keeping cooperation with the agency alive under an agreed framework.”

Under the new deal, IAEA inspectors can visit Iranian nuclear sites, but only with approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. This allows Iran to maintain oversight of foreign inspections while continuing engagement with the international agency.

The framework also allows limited inspections of nuclear sites and monitoring of nuclear material, helping ensure transparency. However, access to key sites like Fordo and Natanz, which were heavily damaged in June strikes, remains tightly controlled.

Background: Iran’s Nuclear Program and International Concerns

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and used solely for energy and medical purposes. However, Western countries, including the United States and European nations, have repeatedly expressed concerns that Iran could be pursuing nuclear weapons. Iran has consistently denied these claims.

The suspension of cooperation with the IAEA in June caused inspectors to leave Iran temporarily. They returned briefly in August to oversee fuel replacement at the Bushehr nuclear plant, but many critical sites remain off-limits. This led to increased tensions with European powers, who initiated steps to reimpose UN sanctions citing Iran’s non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear agreement. Iran condemned this move as illegal.

Egypt’s Role in the Agreement

Egypt played a key role in hosting the agreement talks. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said:

“We hope this deal is a real starting point for a new relationship between Iran and the IAEA, one based on greater transparency in handling security issues.”

During their visit in Cairo, Iran’s minister and Mr. Grossi also met with Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi. The Egyptian president called the agreement “a positive step toward de-escalation” and suggested it could pave the way for Iran to return to international negotiations. He added:

“This could open a path for a peaceful settlement regarding Iran’s nuclear program.”

Impact on International Relations

The Cairo agreement comes at a sensitive time. Relations between Iran and the United States remain tense. During his first term, former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed strict sanctions on Iran. Talks between Iran and the U.S. restarted in April 2025 but were paused after Israel’s strikes in June.

Iran has demanded guarantees against military action before resuming any serious negotiations. Recently, Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, said the country is open to nuclear talks with the United States but will not accept restrictions on its missile program.

European powers, including Britain, France, and Germany, have warned Iran about non-compliance and moved toward re-imposing UN sanctions. Egypt hopes the new framework can help Iran and European nations find common ground and resume discussions.

Why This Agreement Matters

Experts say the deal could be a turning point for Middle East diplomacy. It shows that Iran is willing to cooperate internationally while maintaining control over its nuclear program. This framework may help reduce tensions in the region and could lead to a broader diplomatic effort involving the United States, European nations, and Middle Eastern countries.

By creating a structured and controlled system for nuclear inspections, Iran is signaling that it wants to keep communication lines open with the IAEA, even after the war in June. This move may also improve confidence among other nations and potentially prevent further military confrontations.

Next Steps

The agreement does not immediately resolve all issues. Key sites like Natanz and Fordo remain restricted, and broader talks with the United States and European nations are still uncertain. However, this framework lays the foundation for a gradual rebuilding of trust.

Analysts believe that if inspections continue smoothly under this framework, it could create momentum for larger international negotiations, reduce regional tensions, and pave the way for a long-term resolution regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Iran nuclear program