IAEA Director General Visits Iran Ahead of Trump’s Second Term Administration Launch

Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General (left), visited Tehran, Iran on the 14th (local time) and met with Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visited Tehran, Iran, on the night of the 13th (local time) leading a delegation.

According to major foreign media, at a joint press conference with Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, on the 14th, Grossi said, "We must achieve concrete, certain, and visible results that improve the situation and show that we can move away from conflict and war."

He also addressed Israel, stating, "Iran's nuclear facilities must not be attacked." Eslami warned against adopting resolutions that pressure Iran at the IAEA.

He said, "They have repeatedly experienced that Iran is not influenced by pressure and pursues its program according to national interests," adding, "If they choose the path of engagement, Iran is willing to cooperate, but if they choose another path, necessary decisions will be made."

After the meeting, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, said on X (formerly Twitter), "We had an important and frank conversation with Director General Grossi," and "Iran, as a committed member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), continues full cooperation with the IAEA." He emphasized, "Differences in opinion can be resolved through cooperation and dialogue, and we agreed to continue forward with courage and goodwill."

However, he added, "The ball is in the court of the European Union (EU) and the E3 (United Kingdom, France, Germany)," stating, "We are willing to negotiate based on national interests and inalienable rights, but we are not prepared to negotiate under pressure and threats." It appears that Grossi delivered a warning mixed with concern to Iran and discussed diplomatic compromises, as the second Trump administration could escalate the Iran nuclear crisis.

One of the 'diplomatic solutions' he could propose is the resumption of negotiations to restore the now ineffective Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). However, with Trump's potential return to power, the possibility of reviving the nuclear deal has significantly diminished.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.