🌟 Big news! The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and Iran just shook hands in Cairo to hit the “play” button on nuclear inspections. After months of tension, both sides agreed on practical steps to get inspectors back on the ground. 🎉
“This is an important step in the right direction,” said Rafael Grossi, the Vienna-based watchdog’s director general. He even shared snaps of him signing documents with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Egypt’s capital. 🤝📸
Why now? European powers – France, Britain and Germany (the “E3”) – threatened to hit Iran with snapback sanctions lifted in the 2015 deal. They want Iran to allow inspections, account for its highly enriched uranium stockpile, and open talks with the US before the end-of-month deadline. ⏳
The new framework deal covers the first two points, but it’s still game-time: will inspections and uranium checks wrap up before the snapback clock strikes zero? ⌛️
Araghchi didn’t mince words: “If any hostile action occurs – including reinstated UN sanctions – Iran will deem these steps null and void.” Translation: Iran holds the veto card if the E3 follow through. 🛑
This deal follows a freeze in cooperation after Israeli-US strikes on Iranian sites and the tragic loss of several Iranian scientists in June. Despite that, the IAEA has kept the lines open. 📞
So, will this Cairo agreement defuse the drama? Stay tuned as the countdown to late-month deadline ticks on. 🕵️♀️🌍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
