The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has indicated that negotiations between Washington and Tehran could take place in Pakistan this weekend, as the US President has reportedly “changed his tone” regarding the Middle East conflict.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Rafael Grossi stated that contacts are ongoing with the aim of reaching an agreement.
Tehran has repeatedly denied any diplomatic contact with Washington.
Nevertheless, the IAEA head believes that talks could occur in Islamabad, Pakistan, addressing issues related to nuclear energy, missile use, and Tehran’s links with allied militias of the Islamic Republic.
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Grossi emphasized that the UN agency is available to participate in any negotiations as an “impartial interlocutor focused on peace.”
He noted that the three-plus weeks of ongoing war could be a “new factor” for Washington and Tehran to overcome differences after the February diplomatic breakdown, when the United States abruptly ended talks with its surprise joint attack with Israel on Iran.
“Three weeks of war have left marks. They caused significant damage, paralyzing Iran’s economic, energy, and production infrastructure. This may make the conversation different,” Grossi said.
The Argentine diplomat added that negotiations would not focus on “partial agreements” but on something more substantial, with the US expected to demand “zero uranium enrichment.”
Grossi underlined that military strikes have not caused “decisive” damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities.
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The IAEA has suspended its presence in Iran since the start of the war, while the levels of uranium enrichment remain concerning, he reiterated.
These statements come as Pakistani authorities have offered to host US-Iran talks aimed at ending the Middle East conflict that began on February 28.
However, Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan confirmed to AFP that no contacts between Tehran and Washington are currently taking place.
