IAEA chief holds nuclear talks with Iran’s foreign minister in New York

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held intensive consultations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.

“At the margins of UN GA, continued intensive consultations with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Iran’s nuclear programme,” Grossi wrote on the social media platform X.

The talks come amid ongoing international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear activities and efforts to ensure compliance with global non-proliferation standards. No additional information has been released regarding the outcomes or next steps from the meeting.

On September 22, 2025, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held intensive consultations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The discussions centred on Iran's nuclear program amid escalating tensions and the looming reimposition of UN sanctions.

The United Kingdom, France, and Germany (E3) initiated a 30-day process on August 28 to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran, citing non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. These sanctions, if reinstated, would include asset freezes, arms embargoes, and restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile program.

In response, Araqchi emphasised that Tehran would not yield to pressure and reaffirmed that diplomacy is the sole path to resolving the nuclear dispute. He also underlined Iran's goodwill and responsible approach, stressing that progress depends on the commitment of all parties and an end to excessive demands.

The consultations follow a technical agreement signed on September 9 in Cairo, mediated by Egypt, to resume nuclear inspections that had been suspended after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June. While the agreement marked a step toward renewed cooperation, challenges remain in restoring full IAEA access and addressing Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, which has surpassed 400 kilograms, raising concerns about potential weaponisation.

By Vugar Khalilov