Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog, have returned to Iran despite strained relations with the country.
Mohammad Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker, confirmed the return during a parliament session on Wednesday.
The IAEA withdrew its team from Iran in July after parliament passed a law halting cooperation with the agency in response to the US–Israeli strikes.
During the conflict, Iran accused the IAEA of giving Israel a reason to attack by releasing a report declaring Tehran was not complying with its safeguard obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
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The treaty was designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons through strict inspections of nuclear sites.
Abbas Araghchi, foreign minister, said the inspectors were allowed to monitor fuel replacement at the Bushehr nuclear power plant following a decision by the country’s national security council.
The minister, however, denied that an agreement was reached on “new cooperation” between Iran and the IAEA.
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Rafael Grossi, IAEA head, said discussions are underway on what kind of practical modalities can be implemented in order to facilitate the restart of work.
