Egypt FM holds talks with UK, Iran, and IAEA on Tehran nuclear programme - Foreign Affairs

Al-Ahram Weekly

5 days ago

Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty discussed ways to revive talks on Tehran's nuclear programme in separate phone calls on Friday with his British counterpart, David Lammy, his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi.
Abdelatty explored ways to resume negotiations between Iran, the IAEA, and the E3 group, which comprises the UK, France, and Germany.
These negotiations would help restore diplomatic momentum and address concerns related to Iran's nuclear programme, especially with the anticipated activation of the UN sanctions mechanism on Iran by the end of August, as recently announced by the E3 group.
During the calls, Abdelatty emphasised the need to sustain the Iran-Israel ceasefire, ensure that hostilities do not resume, and support a political and peaceful path forward.
According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Abdelatty's intensive communications also addressed the ongoing de-escalation efforts to reduce regional tensions.
During his call with his British counterpart, the Egyptian Foreign Minister addressed ways to develop and strengthen bilateral ties, particularly in trade, investment, and tourism.
On the other hand, Abdelatty and the IAEA chief focused on enhancing cooperation between Egypt and the agency in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Throughout April and May, the US and Iran held several rounds of negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme before the Israeli strikes on Iran began in June.
On 2 July, Araghchi, whose country insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, said in TV remarks that 'the doors of diplomacy will never slam shut.'
Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA on the same day.
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