These messages reveal Iran's fundamental stance regarding the entry of agency inspectors into the nuclear facilities that were subjected to American-Israeli aggression, linking it to the security situation of these facilities in light of "the ongoing threats from the U.S. president to commit further acts of aggression against Iran and its nuclear facilities." In contrast, Grossi's responses to the Iranian messages reflect satisfaction with Tehran's stance, describing its announcement regarding not suspending the implementation of the safeguards agreement related to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as "important and encouraging."
**Text of the messages and responses**
An Iranian message dated November 3, 2026, drew the agency's attention to "a series of ongoing, explicit, and public threats issued by the President of the United States to commit further acts of armed aggression" against Iran, "specifically targeting its nuclear facilities." Iran pointed out in its message that these threats, among other things, "fundamentally undermined the legal, technical, operational, and security conditions essential for the safe, effective, and full implementation of safeguards measures," asserting that "as a result, the objective requirements for implementing safeguards in the usual manner no longer exist, making their implementation practically impossible under the current circumstances."
The agency's Director General replied on November 4, 2026, stating, "He has previously confirmed in his statements and reports to the Board of Governors, as well as in his remarks before the United Nations Security Council, that any armed attack or threat to launch an attack against nuclear facilities designated for peaceful purposes is considered a violation of the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and the agency's foundational system."
Grossi reminded Iran that he has repeatedly affirmed the necessity of nuclear facilities not facing any attack, regardless of the context or circumstances, noting that such attacks carry serious ramifications for nuclear safety and security, as well as for the safeguards system, in addition to their impact on peace and security at the regional and international levels. However, he reiterated to Iran that the safeguards agreement concluded under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons remains in force, and neither party can suspend its implementation, explaining that monitoring mechanisms should primarily focus on reporting and providing a document distributed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the past hours to the member states, which contains a series of messages and responses exchanged between Iran and the agency’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, during the period from November 3 to November 12, 2026, related to access to safeguarded nuclear facilities and associated nuclear materials. He also reminded that the agency would not be in a position to draw any conclusions regarding safeguards related to Iran's nuclear program if the required reports are not received and access to the relevant sites is not provided.
Iran responded on November 6, 2026, affirming that "despite the aforementioned differences, the Islamic Republic of Iran renews its firm commitment to resume the full implementation of its safeguards obligations as soon as the relevant legal and factual conditions permit."
Iran also emphasized that "the protection of confidential information related to safeguards, whether concerning nuclear facilities, nuclear materials, or individuals, is a matter of vital national security, and any unauthorized disclosure or public comment on such sensitive information will have severe security consequences that cannot be remedied for Iran." Grossi welcomed Iran's statements on November 10, 2026, notably its confirmation that — despite the extraordinary circumstances resulting from the armed attacks on Iranian safeguarded nuclear facilities — it would continue to implement the safeguards agreement related to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and that it had not resorted to suspending the agreement, describing these statements as "important and encouraging."
Grossi expressed hope that these commitments would facilitate discussions between the agency and Iran regarding concrete practical measures aimed at the full and effective implementation of the safeguards agreement, encouraging Tehran to consider technical mechanisms that would create suitable conditions for a return to the normal implementation of safeguards and foster a climate of trust paving the way for a broader diplomatic agreement.
Grossi noted that Iran should, "as evidence of its declared commitment and in compliance with the legal obligations arising from the safeguards agreement under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," provide the agency with reports on the current status of nuclear materials and facilities that were not affected by military attacks, and facilitate inspections in these facilities to verify those reports, reiterating his readiness to engage without delay in discussions on technical mechanisms to achieve a verifiable diplomatic arrangement.
Iran sent another message on November 10, 2026, drawing the Director General's attention to an offer recently made by the United States government, which includes a reward of up to $20 million "for information related to the Iranian nuclear program, including individuals associated with it." Iran urged the Director General to "reaffirm the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of the safeguards activities carried out by the agency, its neutrality, and its institutional independence," and to ensure against "the disclosure of safeguards-related information or its misuse or exploitation," with particular attention to ensuring "the safety and security of the scientists and personnel working in the nuclear field," and raising this issue before the agency’s Board of Governors. Grossi responded on November 12, 2026, reiterating that the agency would continue to strictly adhere to its commitments regarding confidentiality and would protect all confidential information related to safeguards that comes to its knowledge in the context of implementing the agreement.
At the same time, Grossi noted that he would continue to provide reports to the Board of Governors characterized by objectivity and reliance on facts, in accordance with relevant decisions issued by the Board of Governors and the Security Council, reaffirming the agency's ongoing commitment to fulfill its core and independent mandate in verification with neutrality, consistency, and effectiveness.
In a message dated November 11, 2026, Iran informed the Director General that "until the root causes of the current situation are addressed and the fundamental requirements for the normal implementation of safeguards activities are restored," it cannot proceed in "discussions on technical work mechanisms and verification" under "the current circumstances." Iran added that the objective constraints resulting from the prevailing security conditions "must be taken into account when determining the feasibility and timing of any technical discussions," clarifying at the same time that its position should "not be interpreted as a refusal to cooperate with the agency or to engage in any future interactions."
In his response to this message, Grossi referred to what was stated in Iran's statement that its position "should not be interpreted as a refusal to cooperate or engage in the future," explaining that considering the root causes of the current situation and implementing safeguards measures in Iran "should not be seen as contradictory or sequential matters, but rather that progress can be made on both fronts."
The Director General reiterated the agency's readiness to engage, without further delay, in discussions with Iran regarding tangible practical measures aimed at moving towards the full and effective implementation of the safeguards agreement, taking into account the current circumstances, including Iran's concerns related to safety and security, noting that previous engagements that led to the "Cairo Agreement" prove that this is possible and achievable.
#Iran #IAEA #Grossi #nuclear_facilities