Iran makes nuclear peace pledge in 'fruitful' talks with Egypt and IAEA

Foreign Minister welcomes commitment to strengthening of bilateral ties in high-level Cairo summit

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty meet IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in Cairo. AFP

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is “ready to provide assurances" that its nuclear programme is peaceful and believes that trust with Egypt “has never been this strong”.

Following talks in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Grossi, Mr Araghchi emphasised that while Tehran "rejects nuclear weapons" it will "not give up our natural rights either".

The high-level talks on Monday focused on bilateral relations, regional crises and Iran’s nuclear programme. The meeting came amid heightened scrutiny following a recent IAEA report that said Tehran was increasing production of highly enriched uranium.

Mr Araghchi is due in Beirut on Tuesday to meet top Lebanese figures, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Nuclear goals

Mr Grossi and Mr El Sisi also discussed Egypt’s ambition to expand the peaceful use of nuclear technology, including the Dabaa power plant being built in a joint venture with Russia.

In a press conference following the talks, Mr Abdelatty said that Egypt “remains committed to establishing a zone in the Middle East free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction”, adding that the goal “is all the more important now, in light of the continuing regional instability”.

He also reaffirmed Egypt’s support for the IAEA’s commitment to the peaceful application of nuclear technology and thanked Oman for brokering US-Iran talks.

Mr Grossi highlighted ways nuclear technology could help boost Egypt’s food production and achieve national food security. He said Egypt intends to leverage this expertise to assist less developed countries in its regional partnerships.

Iranian programme

But Mr Grossi also reiterated the IAEA’s call for greater transparency and oversight of Iran’s nuclear programme, particularly in light of the agency’s recent report detailing the country’s enrichment of more than 400 kilograms of uranium to 60 per cent purity – just short of weapons-grade material.

The US and Iran have been engaged in indirect talks, mediated by Oman, since April.

Mr Araghchi assured Egyptian officials that Iran’s nuclear programme is peaceful. “We reject nuclear weapons and are not striving for them, but we will not give up our natural rights either,” he said. “With regards to the peacefulness of our nuclear programme, we confirmed this to Egypt and are ready to provide assurances.”

He also spoke of the sacrifices Iran has made to achieve its nuclear milestones. “The Iranian people have paid dearly for this, with the blood of our scientists,” he said.

Mr Grossi expressed hope that the US-Iran talks would yield positive results and confirmed that the IAEA would continue to monitor the situation closely while collaborating with regional partners to promote stability.

US officials have said that Iran could produce weapons-grade uranium in less than two weeks if it chose to develop a nuclear weapon, and has the capacity to build a bomb within months.

Iran and Egypt held talks in Cairo, with Tehran offering assurances over its nuclear activities. AFP

Egypt-Iran relations

Both sides expressed a strong commitment to improving bilateral ties. Mr Araghchi noted that his meeting with President El Sisi was his fourth in the past year, underscoring the growing political will between Cairo and Tehran.

“There is a great deal of political will to boost bilateral relations and remove any obstacles that might stand in the way,” Mr Araghchi said. He added that "the road to good relations between both sides is more open now than ever before”.

Egypt and Iran agreed to boost bilateral trade and facilitate the flow of tourists between the two countries, though no specific timeline was provided. “The level of trust between the two countries has never been this strong,” Mr Araghchi added.

Regional crises

The talks also addressed broader regional challenges, including the conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Mr Abdelatty called for de-escalation across the region, emphasising the need to pursue a peaceful resolution.

Mr Araghchi expressed Iran’s hope for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. He also described Iran's regional allies – the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon – as "independent factions who take decisions for themselves".

"We support their rightful efforts, but that doesn’t mean Iran gives them orders," he said.

Regarding the Red Sea, Mr Abdelatty welcomed the recent ceasefire between the US and Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. He highlighted the economic impact of Red Sea instability on Egypt, including reduced traffic through the Suez Canal, which has affected national revenue.

“This was a topic we discussed and agreed on during our meeting,” Mr Abdelatty said.

Mr Araghchi acknowledged the issue, adding: “With regards to Yemen and the Red Sea, we had a very honest conversation. Yemen is acting in solidarity with Gaza, which is their right, and they have said they would cease attacks once a ceasefire is implemented there.”

Looking ahead

The talks in Cairo underscored the commitment of Egypt, Iran and the IAEA to address regional and international challenges through dialogue. Both Mr Abdelatty and Mr Araghchi described the talks as “fruitful,” with Mr Araghchi thanking Egypt for its hospitality and constructive dialogue.

As the region continues to grapple with instability, the strengthening of ties between Cairo and Tehran signals a potential shift in regional dynamics, with both sides eager to work together on issues of mutual concern.

Mr Araghchi will travel to Lebanon on Monday evening. He previously visited Beirut in February to attend the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the long-time Hezbollah leader who was assassinated last year in an Israeli bombing on the Lebanese capital.

Iranian support had been instrumental in Hezbollah turning into the region’s most powerful non-state armed group. But its war with Israel last year has seen Hezbollah’s power significantly weakened, although it still remains a critical Lebanese actor.

Along with the killing of Mr Nasrallah, almost all of Hezbollah’s senior leadership has been wiped out, as well as its largest missiles. Lebanon is under pressure from many in the international community, as well as some inside the country, to disarm Hezbollah.

President Jospeh Aoun said he wants all arms under the control of the state, but insists this must be done so through mediation and not force.