TEHRAN/CAIRO -- Iran and the UN nuclear agency have reached an agreement on practical modalities to resume inspection activities inside Iran, but Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the deal’s validity depends on no hostile actions, including activation of the snapback mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions.
“The validity of this agreement stands only as long as no hostile actions — including activation of the so-called snapback mechanism — are taken against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Araghchi said during a joint press conference with IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi after their three-hour meeting in Cairo.
On his X account, the IAEA chief announced that, “In Cairo today, agreed with Iran’s Foreign Minister @araghchi on practical modalities to resume inspection activities in Iran. This is an important step in the right direction.”
The full text of the agreement will not be made public. Grossi stated, “Being a safeguards-implementing document, it is not a public one.”
The agreement follows months of suspended cooperation. Tehran had halted access for IAEA inspectors after a 12-day military assault on its nuclear facilities in June and July by Israel and the U.S. Iranian officials said the suspension was a justified response to both the attacks and the agency’s perceived inaction.
Araghchi clarified that, under the current agreement, no new access has yet been granted to inspectors.
“There is no access given to inspectors at this stage,” he said. “Access is only permitted in the case of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, and only due to its fuel replacement process — a decision already approved by the Supreme National Security Council.”
The agreement, he said, sets only a technical framework. “According to Iran’s reports, the types of access will be negotiated in due time.”
He added, “Nothing in the agreement defines the shape or scope of the IAEA’s access at this point. That will be the subject of future talks following Iran’s internal reporting.”
Araghchi also emphasized that the deal complies with Iran’s domestic legislation, particularly a law passed by parliament limiting foreign access to nuclear facilities unless specific conditions are met.
“In the text of the agreement with the agency, the parliament’s law has been explicitly accepted,” he said. “This means that everything must be approved by the Supreme National Security Council.” He confirmed the SNSC had 
already reviewed and approved the deal.
While Grossi said the agreement “contemplates access to all facilities and installations in Iran” and requires reporting on “attacked facilities, including nuclear materials,” Araghchi reiterated that no such access has yet been given and that future talks will determine the nature and timing of any cooperation.
“The agreement does not establish new access,” Araghchi said. “It simply creates a technical and operational framework for possible cooperation.”
He warned explicitly that the deal would collapse if the snapback mechanism — a clause in the 2015 nuclear deal that could restore lifted UN sanctions — were activated by the Europeans.
“As I made clear in talks with Grossi and the Egyptian side, this document’s life depends entirely on the non-activation of any hostile measures, including the snapback mechanism,” he said. “If snapback sanctions return, all practical steps we have agreed to will be void.”
Grossi, in his own remarks, underlined the complexity of the talks, pointing out that the Iranian parliament had passed a law banning the return of inspectors without guarantees for the protection of Iran’s nuclear sites. He described the return of inspectors as neither simple nor automatic.
Despite long-standing tensions, Tehran has reiterated that it has no intention of leaving the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a step that would eliminate its remaining obligations to allow IAEA access. Grossi noted he was “encouraged” by this stance.
The agreement, Grossi said, was fully in line with comprehensive safeguards agreements and represents a foundation for renewed technical dialogue — but not immediate implementation.
European officials reacted cautiously. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the agreement “could be a decisive step for nuclear diplomacy — if implemented quickly by Iran.”
Inside Iran, some parliamentarians have demanded access to the agreement’s details, but the legislature is in recess, and officials said full publication of the deal was neither planned nor legally required.
Araghchi concluded that the deal is a constructive, conditional step.
“This is a technical step toward dialogue,” he said. “But its survival depends on whether the world respects our sovereignty and avoids escalation.” 
Meanwhile, Araghchi continued his diplomatic tour in North Africa. After Cairo, he arrived in Tunisia for high-level talks, where he was officially welcomed by Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti. 
In a post on his X account, Araghchi expressed Iran’s “deep gratitude and appreciation to the Egyptian government for its prominent and constructive role in facilitating the diplomatic process.”
During his visit to Tunisia, Araghchi met with Tunisian President Kais Saied, expressing satisfaction with the growing Iran-Tunisia relationship. 
He praised Tunisia’s principled stance on developments in the West Asian region, including its condemnation of Israeli and U.S. attacks against Iran and its support for the Palestinian cause.
Araghchi emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties in areas of mutual interest, such as economic and commercial cooperation, tourism, and collaboration on regional and international issues.
President Saied described the Iran-Tunisia relationship as fraternal, based on mutual respect, shared views, and a common approach. He reaffirmed Tunisia’s commitment to expanding relations across all fields of shared concern.
The two officials also discussed the ongoing situation in West Asia, particularly the Gaza conflict, continuing Israeli atrocities in occupied Palestine, repeated regional aggressions by the Israeli regime, and the recent terrorist attack on Qatar. They exchanged views and praised Tunisia’s firm and courageous position in support of the Palestinian people.
Both sides highlighted the urgent need for regional cooperation and coordination to halt the war-mongering actions of the Israeli regime.