VIENNA: The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Tuesday proposed a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, to discuss Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Rafael Grossi, in a statement on social media platform X, said that he had written to Araghchi, “stressing this step can lead to a diplomatic solution to the long-standing controversy over the nuclear programme,” and proposed they “meet soon.”
I welcome announcements on Iran situation. Resuming cooperation with @IAEAorg is key to a successful agreement.
I’ve written to @araghchi stressing this step can lead to a diplomatic solution to the long-standing controversy over 🇮🇷 nuclear program and proposed to meet soon.— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) June 24, 2025
He also welcomed recent ceasefire announcements and said that resuming cooperation with the IAEA is “key to a successful agreement.”
A ceasefire between Israel and Iran came into effect on Tuesday following hours of intense attacks.
The ceasefire was first announced by US President Donald Trump, outlining a phased approach: Iran would initiate the ceasefire, followed by Israel 12 hours later, with a complete cessation of hostilities expected after 24 hours.
Tensions escalated sharply on Monday when Iran launched a barrage of missiles at the US military’s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The attack came in response to US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities the previous day.
The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament on Monday said the legislature was considering a bill to suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in response to the UN nuclear agency’s ‘unprofessional conduct’.
Addressing the session of the Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf reiterated the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Highlighting a religious decree issued by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on the prohibition of nuclear weapons, the Parliament speaker said, “Iran has no plans for non-peaceful activities, but the world witnessed clearly that the IAEA has not honored any of its commitments and has turned into a political instrument.”
