Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi in Geneva on Monday. The meeting came as Iran and the United States prepared for a second round of nuclear negotiations. According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Araghchi and Grossi discussed technical issues related to Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA under safeguards. They also addressed Iran’s Parliament law governing inspections and Tehran’s positions ahead of the indirect negotiations with the United States.
The talks took place one day before the Iranian and American delegations were set to meet, with Oman acting as mediator. Additionally, Araghchi will meet Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi during his visit. Grossi wrote on social media that he had held “in-depth technical talks” in preparation for “important negotiations tomorrow in Geneva.” Meanwhile, Araghchi stressed that Iran came with “real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal” and would not yield to pressure. He added: “What is not on the table: submission before threats.”
Iran and the United States restarted indirect nuclear talks in early February. The resumption followed U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025 that disrupted prior negotiations. As a result, Iranian officials say they want the effective and verifiable lifting of sanctions. Moreover, they argue that any deal without real economic benefits would be meaningless. Regional tensions remain high. The U.S. has recently deployed additional military forces to the region. In contrast, anti-war groups warned that further confrontation could prove catastrophic.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran participates “seriously, in good faith, and with a result-oriented approach.” However, he added that inconsistent statements from U.S. officials make negotiations difficult. Baghaei noted that talks occur in “an atmosphere of full mistrust” due to previous attacks on Iranian nuclear sites. He rejected claims that Iran wants to suspend uranium enrichment, noting that the country holds a legal right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to pursue peaceful nuclear energy.
Despite tensions with the IAEA, Baghaei confirmed that Iran continues to cooperate under safeguards and believes the agency can play a constructive role if it sticks to its technical responsibilities. Finally, Baghaei concluded that Iran has no interest in delaying talks. “Our people face pressure from unjust sanctions,” he said. “We want a real agreement, not prolonged negotiations.”