TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that Tehran is “willing to negotiate” over its nuclear program, but will not do so under pressure or intimidation, as the country hosted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi for critical talks. Grossi’s visit comes amid heightened regional tensions, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and concerns over the future of Iran’s nuclear program.
Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are driven by “national interest” and its “inalienable rights,” reaffirming that Iran has never walked away from diplomatic talks on its peaceful nuclear activities. He added that the Iranian government would not engage in negotiations under duress, a message underscored by his post-meeting comments on X (formerly Twitter).
Grossi, who is leading efforts to de-escalate tensions, warned that failing to secure a diplomatic resolution could lead to a broader regional conflict. He stressed the importance of achieving concrete outcomes in talks to prevent further destabilization, particularly as Israel continues to view Iran’s nuclear advancements with increasing alarm.
The IAEA chief, who is making his second visit to Tehran this year, also met with Iran’s nuclear energy head Mohammad Eslami. Eslami reiterated Iran’s stance against any “interventionist” resolutions by the IAEA, vowing “immediate countermeasures” if sanctions or other punitive measures were imposed.
Tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program have been escalating, with the country enriching uranium to 60% purity, far exceeding the 3.65% limit set by the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the U.S. withdrew under President Donald Trump. With Trump’s expected return to office in January, the risk of conflict has increased, with some Israeli officials suggesting military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities could be more likely under a Trump administration.
The IAEA is closely monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities and Grossi is set to visit Iran’s Fordo and Natanz enrichment plants in the coming days to assess the situation firsthand. The visit follows concerns raised by international observers that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium could eventually be used to develop nuclear weapons, although Tehran maintains its program is for peaceful purposes.
Meanwhile, some hardline factions in Iran are calling for a revision of the country’s nuclear strategy, urging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to reconsider his longstanding religious decree banning nuclear weapons.
Grossi’s efforts to restart nuclear talks have so far yielded limited progress, with continued skepticism about the possibility of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Despite this, he remains committed to securing greater transparency and cooperation from Iran to prevent further escalation.
