Iran's hard-liners lash out at FM Araghchi as political rift widens over IAEA deal
Iran's recent deal with the UN nuclear watchdog has intensified domestic political fractures, with the government scrambling to balance hard-liners' scrutiny and international skepticism, as snapback sanctions loom large.
Signed in Cairo on Tuesday, Iran's new cooperation framework with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is testing domestic and international patience alike and exacerbating a schism within Iran's political echelon.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi agreed on outlines for a new approach to inspections at Iran's nuclear sites. But gaps persist: Araghchi told the state broadcaster two days after the agreement that any IAEA access to nuclear sites would be limited and conducted through specific procedures established by Iran's parliamentary and the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
He added that enriched uranium stockpiles may remain inaccessible, buried under the rubble of nuclear facilities, which were severely hit by American and Israeli strikes during the 12-day war in June.
Grossi's comments, on the other hand, have suggested something much different: that all Iranian facilities, including those attacked in the war, will face IAEA scrutiny, per the framework agreed on.
