Iran Foreign Minister to Meet Nuclear Watchdog Chief in Cairo

Iran’s foreign minister will meet with the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss new protocols for nuclear inspections.

Abbas Araghchi will hold talks with Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on the sidelines of political discussions between Iran and Egypt, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the main purpose of the meeting is to “finalize negotiations on new protocols for Iran-IAEA cooperation in implementing safeguards obligations.”

The protocols have been developed taking into account recent attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, parliamentary legislation, and considerations from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Baghaei said.

He added that the framework is now in its final stages.

The meeting comes as the IAEA Board of Governors convenes in Vienna, where Grossi has emphasized the need to resume inspections of Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran suspended cooperation with the agency following Israeli and U.S. military strikes on its nuclear sites in June.

Iran’s parliament passed legislation suspending IAEA cooperation on June 25, one day after a ceasefire ended the 12-day war.

Since then, international inspectors have been denied access to Iranian nuclear sites.

During his Cairo visit, Araghchi will also meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to launch a new round of political dialogue between the two countries.