French Foreign Minister Calls for Tehran's Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency

Catherine Colonna, the French Foreign Minister, emphasized the necessity for Tehran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) during a meeting with Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General, on Tuesday, September 19. In this meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly, she stated: "As the European Troika has made clear, Iran must fully cooperate with the Agency." Ms. Colonna also appreciated the Agency's efforts regarding Iran and Ukraine. Her remarks came after the Islamic Republic revoked the licenses of several IAEA inspectors. In response to this action, France, Germany, Britain, and the United States issued a joint statement calling the actions of the Islamic Republic another step in the wrong direction. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and urged him not to accept the recent actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in obstructing the IAEA inspectors' oversight. Netanyahu's office announced that the two discussed the Islamic Republic's efforts in expanding terrorism and acquiring nuclear weapons. According to 'The Times of Israel', David Barnea, the head of Mossad, and Tzachi Hanegbi, the head of Israel's National Security Council, were also present at this meeting. Netanyahu's office stated that Mr. Barnea would participate in discussions in the coming days regarding Iran's nuclear program and efforts to reach an agreement with Iran. U.S. President Joe Biden, in his speech on the first day of the 78th annual UN General Assembly, briefly referred to Iran, stating that the U.S. remains "committed" to ensuring that the Islamic Republic does not acquire nuclear weapons. The 78th UN General Assembly, which began on Tuesday, will continue until Tuesday, October 3. UN experts condemned the intensified crackdown on protesters on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini. The European Union expressed concern over the suspension of activities of "several experienced inspectors" of the Agency in Iran. The head of the parliamentary nuclear committee stated that the Agency sends members of intelligence services for inspections in Iran. Implicit acceptance of "84% enrichment" by Tehran.