TEHRAN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in the Egyptian capital Cairo this week to conclude talks on a new framework for bilateral cooperation, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced Monday.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei disclosed the plan in an interview with the official news agency IRNA.
Baghaei said the Iranian foreign minister would visit Tunisia and Egypt to continue Iran's consultations with regional and Muslim states, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional issues and international developments.
The meeting with Grossi in Cairo would focus on concluding negotiations on a new protocol for Iran's compliance with IAEA safeguards obligations, Baghaei added. These negotiations follow Tehran's decision to suspend cooperation with the agency after Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
During the Cairo visit, Araghchi will also hold a new round of political talks with Egyptian officials, including President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Baghaei added.
After suspending cooperation with the IAEA, Iran said any inspections by the agency must be approved by Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and that the suspension will persist until guarantees are provided for the safety of its nuclear sites and scientists.
Iran and the IAEA held their latest round of talks in Vienna on Friday and Saturday. ■
