In Isfahan, Grossi proposed practical measures to accelerate cooperation during talks with Iranian officials, including Atomic Energy Organization head Mohammad Eslami.

Grossi emphasized the importance of settling differences on the nuclear issue amidst the Middle East's challenging circumstances, specifically the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The IAEA chief, Rafael Grossi, stated that political conditions have hindered full cooperation between Iran and the international community.

To move forward, concrete steps are needed to find solutions.

A deal reached in March 2023 between Iran and the IAEA for basic cooperation, including on safeguards and monitoring, still stands but requires more substance.

However, there has been a slowdown in the agreement's implementation, with a decrease in inspections and the withdrawal of accreditation for a group of IAEA experts by Iran.

Iran suspended its compliance with the nuclear activity caps set by a 2015 deal with major powers after the US withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sanctions in 2018.

Iran's nuclear chief, Eslami, stated during a joint news conference that Iran has the legal right to reduce its commitments under the nuclear deal if other parties do not fulfill their obligations.

Tensions between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have escalated since the deal's collapse in 2018, and efforts by the EU to bring the US back into the agreement and get Iran to comply with the terms have been unsuccessful.

The IAEA has criticized Iran for a lack of cooperation on various issues, including the expansion of its nuclear work, denial of access to inspectors, and deactivation of monitoring devices at its nuclear facilities.