Iran to host IAEA team as nuclear concerns grow

Iran has agreed to host a U.N. nuclear watchdog delegation to discuss future cooperation, as tensions grow over uranium stockpiles and post-strike nuclear site access.

Iran will receive a technical team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the coming weeks to discuss the future of its cooperation with the U.N. body, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

"The delegation will come to Iran to discuss the modality, not to go to the (nuclear) sites," he told reporters during a visit to New York for meetings at the United Nations.

The IAEA had no specific comment on his remarks, but said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi was "actively engaging with all parties involved in the Iran nuclear issue."

The visit comes during international concern about Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles and site damage following airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel aimed at halting Tehran’s nuclear progress.

Iran insists its program is peaceful and civilian-focused. Gharibabadi noted the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is still assessing radiation risks. 

"Our Atomic Energy Organization is assessing, actually, the damages to the nuclear installations, and we are waiting to receive their report. In this regard, it's a very dangerous work. We do not know what has happened there ... because of the risks of the radiation," Gharibabadi said.

Diplomats are particularly alarmed about 400 kg of highly enriched uranium, with no recent updates provided to the IAEA. Gharibabadi claimed the agency has not formally inquired about the material and that Iran awaits a credible internal report before commenting.

Any long-term nuclear agreement, he said, depends on constructive IAEA cooperation.

He also announced upcoming talks in Istanbul with Britain, France, and Germany, the remaining signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal. 

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