Tehran Denies Negotiation with Washington, Troika Escalates Against Iran

The Spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei, affirmed in response to statements by US President Donald Trump regarding negotiation with Iran that there is no negotiation process between Tehran and Washington. Baghaei added that the US has a record of violations, stating there is no justification for negotiating with a party that boasts about attacking Iran.

Troika Escalation and New Draft Resolution

Meanwhile, the European Troika (Germany, France, UK) and the United States submitted a new, escalating draft resolution to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):

• Accusation: The draft resolution asserts that Tehran remains in a state of "non-compliance with the safeguards agreement" under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

• Alarm: The text expresses "serious concern" that the IAEA has been unable to verify Iran's uranium stockpile, including highly enriched material, for over five months.

• Warning: The resolution warns that the absence of this information raises concerns about the "possible diversion of nuclear material from peaceful use."

Stance of the IAEA and Iran

• IAEA Director: IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said that the enriched uranium remains in Iran and that the agency must obtain and examine it, noting that the agency has not yet been able to visit the targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

• Iranian Response: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that the Troika's move to issue a resolution against Iran would lead to the "exclusion of the Cairo agreement."

Nuclear Deal Background (JCPOA)

• Deal Collapse: The 2015 deal collapsed after the US withdrew in 2018 during Trump's first term. Iran responded by abandoning restrictions, including the implementation of the Additional Protocol (which grants the IAEA broader oversight and snap inspections).

• Loss of Oversight: The IAEA lost oversight of Iran's centrifuge stockpile when Tehran stopped implementing the Additional Protocol in 2021.