The U.S. State Department reported that Rubio met with Grossi before the upcoming meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria, scheduled for September 8 – 12, 2025. The State Department’s statement clarified that the two sides discussed global nuclear safety and the Agency’s efforts to conduct monitoring and verification activities, especially in Iran. Secretary Rubio affirmed to Director General Grossi the United States’ commitment to supporting the Agency in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
In a related context, the spokesman for the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, Behrouz Kamalvandi, announced on Wednesday that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency are overseeing the process of replacing fuel at the Bushehr nuclear plant. The IRNA stated that Kamalvandi’s remarks came during a press briefing, where he confirmed that any inspection by the International Agency in Iran is conducted after agreeing on a framework of cooperation arrangements and endorsement by the Supreme National Security Council of his country. Kamalvandi pointed out that this procedure is part of the implementation of the specified timeline for the nuclear plant in the city of Bushehr, located in southern Iran, ensuring the power grid is supplied with the necessary capacity in a timely manner. He noted that an agreement has been reached for the International Agency’s inspectors to supervise the fuel replacement process there.
Kamalvandi stressed that “it is obvious that any inspection will take place after reaching an understanding between Tehran and the International Agency on the framework of cooperation and approval by the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, based on the recent decision by the Iranian parliament.” Last Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that the United States has sanctioned individuals and entities for their role in evading and circumventing U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran. The U.S. Treasury stated in a statement: “The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department today designated 18 entities and individuals who play pivotal roles in the Iranian regime’s efforts to generate revenue and circumvent U.S. sanctions.” Washington accused Tehran of setting up sophisticated banking schemes and alternative payment messaging systems specifically designed to bypass sanctions and protect its ability to collect export revenues, according to the statement.
