Asked about the IAEA’s potential visits to Iran’s nuclear facilities, Esmaeil Baqaei said at a presser on Monday that while Iran has no preconditions for agency inspections, cooperation with the IAEA and visits to damaged sites are separate issues because there is currently no established method for inspecting such facilities.
Inspections of damaged sites would require an understanding between Iran and the agency based on a new protocol in line with parliamentary approvals, he explained.
Baqaei also commented on the possible participation of Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi in the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the US, saying the matter is under discussion but no definitive decision has been made.
Regarding the Additional Protocol, he said that Iran had voluntarily implemented it under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), giving the country prior experience.
He noted that any future voluntary measures would depend on reciprocal progress in sanctions relief, emphasizing that the protocol serves as a confidence-building tool to demonstrate the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.
On the characteristics of a win-win agreement, Baqaei emphasized that such a deal must restore rights undermined by “unjust sanctions” and ensure that Iran’s official nuclear rights are respected.
Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy is an integral part of any negotiation, he stated.
Baqaei then addressed statements by US special envoy Steve Witkoff regarding zero enrichment in Iran and deadlines set by US President Donald Trump, calling such claims entirely inaccurate.
He suggested they could be considered “linguistic errors” if viewed in good faith, but stressed that contradictory statements from US officials remain a major obstacle to negotiations.
The spokesman concluded by saying that Iran will act based on its own interests and priorities.