Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed his government’s readiness to clarify any uncertainties surrounding its nuclear program during a Thursday meeting with Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog.
Grossi emphasized the urgency of yielding tangible results from nuclear negotiations with Iran to prevent new regional conflicts. These tensions are heightened by ongoing hostilities involving Israel, Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The visit follows a statement from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who highlighted Iran’s increased vulnerability to strikes on its nuclear sites, presenting Israel with a strategic advantage to achieve critical security objectives.
Pezeshkian reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to transparency: “As we have consistently demonstrated our goodwill, we declare our readiness to collaborate with this international organization to dispel any alleged ambiguities regarding our nation’s peaceful nuclear activities.”
Grossi, during his visit to Tehran, advocated against attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also met with Grossi. He asserted Iran’s openness to negotiations that align with national interests and sovereign rights, but he emphasized that Iran would not engage in talks under duress.
Araghchi, who played a pivotal role in the 2015 nuclear deal negotiations, underscored Iran’s stance amidst evolving international dynamics, notably after the US withdrawal from the agreement under Trump’s administration. Grossi’s discussions also included a meeting with Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s atomic energy organization.
