Media: Tehran rules out negotiations with IAEA chief in Geneva

Iran has rejected a US proposal to include International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi in negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland, a source close to the Iranian negotiating team confirmed.

Speaking to Iranian media, the source, who is close to the delegation currently in Geneva, said that Iran has no intention of holding negotiations with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi.

"The Americans wanted the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, to be present in the negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Switzerland, but Iran has dismissed the idea," the source said.

The source stressed that Grossi's presence in Switzerland should not be interpreted as participation in talks with Iranian representatives.

"Grossi’s presence in Switzerland does not mean that he will be present in negotiations with Iran," the source stated.

According to the source, Washington had sought to involve the IAEA chief in the discussions, but Tehran firmly opposed the proposal.

"The Americans wanted Grossi to be present in the talks, but Iran rejected the idea," the source said.

The source further noted that the Iranian negotiating team's objective is limited to implementing the provisions of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States.

According to the informed source, "the goal of the Iranian negotiating team is simply to fulfill Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S., with special emphasis on Article 1 of the MoU and issues such as pursuing the release of Iranian assets and the lifting of oil sanctions."

By Vafa Guliyeva