Iraqi and Grossi meet in New York on the eve of the return of sanctions

The meeting between Abbas Araqchi and Rafael Grossi took place at a time when there is not much time left until the possible return of UN sanctions against Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly session in New York on Monday, September 22. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araqchi stressed the need for “the other parties to abide by their responsibilities” and to avoid “abusing the Security Council to pressure Tehran.”

"We are clearly in a very difficult phase right now. It is a very difficult situation that we are facing," Rafael Grossi told AFP earlier. "What is important is that the communication continues. We are planning to meet this Monday in New York and perhaps have more meetings during the week."

Meanwhile, European Union foreign policy chief Kaia Kallas warned that “the window for an agreement with Iran is very narrow” and it is unclear whether a swift reimposition of UN sanctions, which were suspended under the 2015 nuclear deal, will happen this weekend. Iran has also threatened to stop cooperating with the IAEA if sanctions are reimposed.

According to the Guardian newspaper, Tehran fears that the return of sanctions will create an image of Iran as a violator of international obligations and provide new legitimacy for possible actions by the United States and Israel.

Concurrent with the diplomatic moves in New York, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the need to confront Iran at a meeting of his country's army's general staff. He stated: "We will overcome our enemies in the current battle and we must destroy the Iranian axis, and we have the power to do so. This goal is before us in the coming year, a year that could be a historic year for Israel's security."

Netanyahu also stated: "I reiterate that we are determined to achieve all our goals in the war; not only in Gaza, but on other fronts. Our goal is to create opportunities for security, victory, and also peace."

In his interview with AFP, Rafael Grossi praised the efforts of French President Emmanuel Macron to advance the nuclear talks, saying: "Emmanuel Macron is very active. He has always been like that and I have great respect for him." He also referred to the consultations of US special envoy Steve Whittaker, adding: "Although the agency is not part of a possible agreement between Tehran and Washington, it will play a fundamental role in any scenario."

Grossi stressed that the path to dialogue is still open, continuing: "We are not at a point now where the parties are not talking to each other, but does that mean I am optimistic? Well, I am neither optimistic nor pessimistic. But I still hope that we will reach an agreement."

The European Troika has also made the extension of the sanctions suspension period conditional on Iran returning to negotiations with Washington and cooperating with the IAEA inspectors.

In the end, the agency's director general warned: "If an agreement is not reached, we must return the ship to the right course with the aim of avoiding confrontation and possible attacks."