Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Arrives in Tehran

Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), arrived in Tehran on Sunday, September 29, for discussions with Iranian officials. The spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran stated that the purpose of Amano's visit is to implement cooperation between Iran and the Agency. According to ISNA, Amano is accompanied by four of his deputies on this one-day trip. Meanwhile, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, stated on Saturday, September 28, regarding the objectives of Yukiya Amano's visit, that Amano is coming to Tehran with the aim of executing the roadmap between Iran and the Agency. According to Tasnim, Behrouz Kamalvandi rejected an Associated Press report suggesting that Amano's visit aims to garner support for interviews with Iranian scientists, asserting that the purpose of Amano's visit is to implement the roadmap for cooperation between Iran and the Agency. Two diplomats told the Associated Press on Friday that during the IAEA Director General's visit to Tehran, he would seek to gain Iranian officials' consent for interviews with Iranian scientists, as such interviews would help clarify some remaining issues regarding the 'possible military dimensions' of Iran's nuclear program. The spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran responded to this Associated Press report by stating, 'Some international media outlets publish biased news with specific goals, a method that is not new.' Iran and the IAEA agreed in July of this year to clarify remaining issues regarding the 'past and present' of Iran's nuclear program within the framework of a 'roadmap.' According to IRNA, based on the 'roadmap' signed by Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Yukiya Amano, all agreed activities, including expert meetings and discussions, will be completed by October 15 (October 23). According to the Associated Press, resolving the remaining 'past and present' issues and the final report of the Agency, which is to be presented on December 15, will have a direct impact on the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six world powers. Iran and the six world powers reached a comprehensive agreement to resolve the nuclear dispute of the Islamic Republic on July 13 in Vienna. Under this agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran's nuclear program is limited, and in return, most international sanctions against Tehran will be lifted. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Alireza Zakani, representative and head of the special committee of the Islamic Consultative Assembly to review the nuclear agreement, has also stated to Fars and Tasnim news agencies that Yukiya Amano will participate in the committee's session on Sunday afternoon. Additionally, Hassan Qashqavi, Deputy for Consular and Parliamentary Affairs of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has indicated the possibility of Yukiya Amano attending the JCPOA committee meeting on Sunday, stating, 'This matter is being pursued positively by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.' According to IRNA, Qashqavi also added, 'Following the special committee's request to review the JCPOA for Amano's presence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pursuing this matter positively.' Amano had previously attended a session of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in August and answered representatives' questions regarding the agreement between Iran and the Agency.