Tehran: Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced on Thursday that the Cairo Agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been terminated. This decision comes in response to an IAEA resolution, adopted the same day, which requires Iran to disclose the status of its uranium reserves.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the IAEA Board of Governors passed the resolution, proposed by the United States and three European countries-France, Britain, and Germany, collectively known as the E3-with 19 votes in favor, three against, and 12 abstentions. The resolution urges Iran to cooperate fully with the Agency, providing inspectors with detailed information about its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity, and granting access to its nuclear sites.

CRITICIZING IAEA RESOLUTION

The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which Araghchi condemned the resolution as "unlawful and unjustified," criticizing the E3 and the United States for undermining the agency's authority and independence. He argued that this move would disrupt Iran's interaction and cooperation with the IAEA.

Araghchi stated that Iran formally informed the IAEA of its withdrawal from the Cairo Agreement, which was reached in September to resume the Agency's inspection of Iran's nuclear facilities. "Today, it was announced in an official letter to the Agency's Director General that the Agreement is considered terminated and no longer valid," he said.

CAIRO AGREEMENT "BASED ON GOODWILL"

Iran and the IAEA had signed the Cairo Agreement on September 9 to resume nuclear site inspections. In June, Iran halted its cooperation with the agency following Israeli and U.S. air attacks on its key nuclear sites and criticized the IAEA for not condemning the bombings.

The E3 accused Iran of failing to meet its commitments under the 2015 international nuclear deal and triggered a "snapback" mechanism in August, leading to the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran in late September.

Shortly after the IAEA resolution was adopted, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told state-run IRIB TV that the Cairo Agreement "is considered annulled from our point of view," emphasizing that it was based on Iran's goodwill.

Baghaei indicated that Tehran would consider other remedial measures in response to the IAEA resolution, which he claimed undermines the agency's credibility and independence.

"NO" TO ZERO URANIUM ENRICHMENT

Over recent months, the United States and some European countries have urged Iran to cease uranium enrichment. However, Tehran has consistently rejected this demand, asserting that its right to uranium enrichment is non-negotiable.

In an interview with Iran's Khabar Online news agency, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's position, stating that any agreement leading to zero uranium enrichment would be unacceptable, viewing it as a national issue of glory and pride. "We will in no way accept zero (uranium) enrichment as the issue has turned into (a matter of) national glory and pride," he said, highlighting the sacrifices made by Iran to maintain its uranium enrichment.