Iran and the IAEA sign a cooperation agreement brokered by Egypt in Cairo on 9 September 2025. [Getty]

Egypt is trying to salvage the cooperation agreement between Iran and the UN’s nuclear watchdog, several weeks after Tehran declared it “null and void” following the reimposition of UN sanctions.

Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdel Atty held a phone call this week with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi to discuss the collapse of the agreement and containing escalation between Iran and Western powers, according to The New Arab’s Arabic-language sister site Al Araby Al Jadeed.

Egypt had brokered a deal that would have seen Iran resume cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following a breakdown in ties in the wake of Israel and the US’s attacks on its nuclear facilities in July.

The agreement allowed the IAEA to resume inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities, which diplomatic sources described as the “most significant progress” in Iran’s international cooperation in more than two years.

Iran pulled out of the agreement after France, Germany and the UK triggered the reimposition of UN sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear pact.

On 21 November, Iran reiterated that the deal was “null and void” following the IAEA board’s condemnation its nuclear program and demands for access to facilities hit by Israel and the US during the 12-day war.

Tehran called the decision “illegal and unjustified” and accused the US and the E3 countries – France, Germany and the UK – of pushing the agency towards further escalation.

During the phone call, Abdel Atty expressed concern about the escalating confrontation between Iran and the IAEA and warned that the situation could lead to a loss of control over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Abdel Atty emphasised the need to “continue efforts aimed at de-escalation, confidence-building and creating conditions for continued cooperation”.

Grossi praised Egypt’s role in mediating the agreement and said that the IAEA needs Iran’s “full and unconditional cooperation” to repair relations.

Iran has granted UN inspectors access to some nuclear sites but denied them entry to facilities bombed by the US and Israel, citing security concerns.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the IAEA will only be given to the facilities

Israel’s attack on Iran derailed weeks of nuclear talks between Iran and the US over its nuclear programme.

Since the war, Tehran has said it would be willing to reopen talks if they take place on an “equal footing”.