IAEA Director Praises Egypt in mediation efforts with Iran
International Atomic Energy Agency Director Rafael Grossi expressed that he is “very grateful” for Egypt and its administration’s role in mediating an agreement with Iran to resume cooperation.
United Nations
Sphinx News: Ahmed Ali
Ahead of his address to the General Assembly on the 2024 annual report, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi addressed the press, delivering a key remark on the critical role Egypt played in mediating an agreement between the IAEA and Iran. The deal came just months after the 12-day war, during which Tehran took heightened security measures and distanced itself from the nuclear agency.
Describing Egypt as a “key nation globally and in the Middle East,” Grossi praised the country’s leadership—particularly President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty—for their central role in brokering the September agreement between the IAEA and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Following the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, Iran’s parliament voted to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, a move later ratified by the Guardian Council. In his October 22nd interview with Le Temps, Grossi noted, “After the twelve-day war, Iran could have cut ties with the international community, withdrawn from the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and become a pariah state like North Korea. It didn’t.”
On September 9th, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Director Grossi met in Cairo to finalize the terms of a new agreement that would restore cooperation with the IAEA — albeit with certain restrictions. At the time, Araghchi stated, “What we are doing is protecting our rights while keeping cooperation with the agency alive under an agreed framework.”
Grossi welcomed the breakthrough, telling Le Temps in the same interview, “I’m maintaining diplomatic space by keeping regular contact with foreign minister Abbas Araghchi. For now, Tehran is only allowing inspectors in dribs and drabs.”
Today, Grossi emphasized Egypt’s pivotal role in restoring diplomatic channels between the IAEA and Iran. “The fact that the President of Egypt and the Foreign Minister were trying to facilitate this dialogue was of great importance,” he said. While noting that the negotiations remained bilateral and confidential, he added, “Knowing that we had the physical and moral support of such an important country of the Arab world facilitating an encounter like this was very, very important.”
Grossi affirmed that cooperation between the IAEA and Iran remains cautious but ongoing, stressing that he continues to “count on [Egypt’s] support.”
