Iran Says it is Achieving ‘Progress’ on Technical Cooperation with IAEA

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian during a press conference (EPA)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian during a press conference (EPA)
TT

Iran Says it is Achieving ‘Progress’ on Technical Cooperation with IAEA

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian during a press conference (EPA)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian during a press conference (EPA)

Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) achieved "good progress" on their technical cooperation, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has announced.

Amir-Abdollahian said the two sides were satisfied with the results of the negotiations, and Iran is serious about its cooperation with the IAEA.

"The more the IAEA distances itself from a political approach and moves towards technical cooperation, the more the path for our agreements opens up," the minister pointed out, according to Mehr News Agency.

He added that Iran is doing everything it can, within the framework of constructive and mutual technical cooperation with the IAEA, to remove the unfounded suspicions and accusations of the agency.

"We are close to the next IAEA meeting, and we have notified Mr. (Rafael) Grossi very clearly that Iran and the agency can establish a good and reassuring cooperation if certain foreign parties do not get in the way," the Iranian foreign minister said.

Regarding the negotiation process with the Agency, Amir-Abdollahian said that the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in the European Union, Josep Borrell, expressed his satisfaction regarding the negotiations for the first time in a long time.

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that good progress will be made in the technical cooperation between Iran and the IAEA as both sides have expressed a strong desire to take such a step.

He asserted that the exchange of delegations is taking place away from media hype.

Regarding the impact of IAEA's satisfaction with cooperation on the nuclear negotiations, the Iranian official said that the agency's report would positively affect the negotiation to remove the sanctions.

The Foreign Minister noted that the exchange of messages with the US is in progress through different channels and intermediaries.

Iran seeks to neutralize Western sanctions and is trying to ensure their removal during talks on reviving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The minister also addressed reports about the talks to restore relations between Iran and Egypt. He said the office for protecting the two countries' interests is active in Tehran and Cairo, and there is an official communication channel.

He recalled that some countries are encouraging Egypt and Iran to improve their ties, and Tehran welcomes the developments, noting that officials of both countries are holding fruitful meetings.

Iran hopes to develop its relations with regional countries within the framework of the government's vision, said Amir-Abdollahian, adding that Tehran prioritizes developing relations with Egypt to achieve new and reciprocal steps.



Islamabad Locked Down ahead of Protests Seeking ex-PM Imran Khan's Release

Police officers stand guard near their vehicles during a protest by Pakistani Shiite Muslims against an attack on passenger vehicles in Kurram, in Dera Ismail Khan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, 22 November 2024. EPA/SAOOD REHMAN
Police officers stand guard near their vehicles during a protest by Pakistani Shiite Muslims against an attack on passenger vehicles in Kurram, in Dera Ismail Khan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, 22 November 2024. EPA/SAOOD REHMAN
TT

Islamabad Locked Down ahead of Protests Seeking ex-PM Imran Khan's Release

Police officers stand guard near their vehicles during a protest by Pakistani Shiite Muslims against an attack on passenger vehicles in Kurram, in Dera Ismail Khan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, 22 November 2024. EPA/SAOOD REHMAN
Police officers stand guard near their vehicles during a protest by Pakistani Shiite Muslims against an attack on passenger vehicles in Kurram, in Dera Ismail Khan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, 22 November 2024. EPA/SAOOD REHMAN

Pakistan's capital was put under a security lockdown on Sunday ahead of protests by supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan calling for his release.
Highways leading to Islamabad through which supporters of Khan, led by members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, are expected to approach the city and gather near the parliament, have been blocked.
Most major roads of the city have also been blocked by the government with shipping containers and large contingents of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in riot gear, while mobile phone services have been suspended.
Gatherings of any sort have been banned under legal provisions, the Islamabad police said in a statement.
Global internet watchdog NetBlocks said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that live metrics showed WhatsApp messaging services had been restricted ahead of the protests.
A key Khan aid, Ali Amin Gandapur, who is the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and is expected to lead the largest convoy into Islamabad, called on people to gather near the entrance of the city's red zone, known as "D Chowk".
Islamabad's red zone houses the country's parliament building, important government installations, as well as embassies and foreign institutions' offices.
"Khan has called on us to remain there till all our demands are met," he said in a video message on Saturday.
The PTI's demands include the release of all its leaders, including Khan, as well as the resignation of the current government due to what it says was a rigged election this year.
Khan has been in jail since August last year and, since being voted out of power by parliament in 2022, faces a number of charges ranging from corruption to instigation of violence.
He and his party deny all the charges.
"These constant protests are destroying the economy and creating instability ... we want the political leadership to sit together and resolve these matters," Muhammad Asif, 35, a resident of Islamabad said in front of a closed market.
The last protest in Islamabad by PTI in early October turned violent with one policeman killed, dozens of security personnel injured and protesters arrested. Both sides accused the other of instigating the clashes.