International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi and the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Mohammad Eslami, participated in a press conference in Tehran, Iran, on November 14, 2024. — Reuters

Iran expressed hope on Monday that discussions regarding its nuclear program would take place 'free from political pressure and considerations' ahead of a UN nuclear agency board meeting this week. 'All our efforts and our focus in our talks were aimed at enabling the International Atomic Energy Agency to carry out its technical work without the detrimental and malevolent pressures exerted by certain parties,' stated Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, during his weekly press conference.

Agency chief Rafael Grossi embarked on a trip to Iran on Wednesday for discussions with high-ranking officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian. This visit occurred just before a meeting of the IAEA's board of governors in Vienna this week, where the UK, Germany, and France are anticipated to pass a new resolution critical of Iran.

Baghaei expressed optimism that the involved parties would 'allow the matters between Iran and the agency to proceed in a technical manner and free from political pressures and considerations.' He praised Grossi's visit as 'beneficial and positive,' noting that it fostered 'good understandings' between Tehran and the agency.

Pezeshkian stated during his meeting with Grossi that Tehran was prepared to address 'doubts and ambiguities' surrounding its nuclear program. A significant 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers provided it with much-needed relief from sanctions in exchange for limitations on its nuclear program, which Iran has consistently maintained is for peaceful purposes. However, the agreement collapsed, and sanctions were reinstated following the United States' unilateral withdrawal in 2018 under Donald Trump. In response, Iran scaled back its commitments under the deal, increasing enrichment levels to 60 per cent, which is 30 per cent below the threshold required to produce a nuclear bomb.

Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, stated on Saturday that 'there remains an opportunity for diplomacy' concerning the country's nuclear program, albeit describing it as a 'limited opportunity.' He further added that Iran was prepared for both 'confrontation' and 'cooperation,' contingent upon the path chosen by other parties.

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