The story: While International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi did not reach a deal during his recent visit to Tehran, Iranian officials insist that the talks were not a failure. Yet, the official newspaper run by Iran’s government has described Grossi’s visit as failing to resolve outstanding disputes. This comes as both Reformist and hardline media have criticized the IAEA chief over his stance on Iran.

The coverage: In his introductory statement to the IAEA Board of Governors, Grossi asserted on Nov. 24 that the Agency’s talks with Iran on “outstanding safeguards issues” were “inconclusive.”

In stark contrast to Grossi’s remarks, Iranian media quoted a source in the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) as stating on Nov. 24 that the IAEA chief’s visit led to “important agreements.” The source added that "it was [decided] that the agreements will be pursued in the next [round of] talks, which will be held in Vienna."
AEOI spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi claimed on Nov. 24 that Grossi did not describe the talks as leading to no results, but had rather asserted that they were “unfinished.” Kamalvandi added that since “we were insisting on some of our positions,” a conclusion could not be reached during the IAEA chief’s Nov. 22-23 visit to Tehran.
Nour News, close to Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, tweeted on Nov. 24 that the Islamic Republic does not “tolerate the double-standards of the IAEA.” Nour News further called on the UN atomic watchdog to take advantage of Iran’s “goodwill“ to prevent a possible “stalemate” in Tehran-IAEA relations.

Both Reformist and hardline newspapers criticized the IAEA chief over his remarks upon returning to Vienna, while stating that “cooperation” with him has not produced positive results. "We are close to the point where I would not be able to guarantee continuity of knowledge [about Iran’s nuclear program]," Grossi warned reporters on Nov. 24.

Hardline Javan newspaper described the IAEA’s relationship with Iran as "costly." The daily, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), argued on Nov. 25 that while Grossi has claimed that his negotiations in Tehran did not lead to results, he has traveled to the Iranian capital four times without facing any obstacles in meeting Iranian officials.
The government-run “Iran” daily chose the headline “The director-general came and returned empty-handed.” The newspaper wrote on Nov. 25, “Grossi’s recent trip to Iran could not resolve much of the current disagreements.” The paper, however, added that Tehran’s announcement of its readiness to continue consultations with the IAEA means the window is still open for a mutually acceptable solution.
The Reformist Arman newspaper slammed the IAEA chief for “reiteration of his usual position,” implying an alleged bias against Iran. The paper further claimed on Nov. 25 that Grossi’s remarks satisfied the west and created a new situation ahead of the upcoming negotiations on the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The context/analysis: The IAEA chief’s trip to Iran took place as Tehran and Washington are preparing to hold indirect talks in Vienna on Nov. 29 to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Formally known as the JCPOA, the accord was inked between Iran and the P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany), and put limitations on Iran’s nuclear program in return for the lifting of US sanctions. However, in May 2018, then US president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal and reimposed all sanctions.

Under the JCPOA, the IAEA is tasked with verifying Tehran's compliance with the deal’s restrictions through its monitoring and inspections.
Following the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, Iran has gradually reduced its JCPOA commitments. The Islamic Republic’s steps include ceasing implementation of the Additional Protocol, thereby restricting enhanced access to its nuclear sites. Under an agreement initially struck in February and since repeatedly extended, Iran allows the Agency to continue operating surveillance cameras, but with one major exception: the IAEA will not have access to the footage until the JCPOA is fully revived.
One of the current main disagreements between Iran and the IAEA pertains to camera access at a facility in the city of Karaj. The site, which makes parts for advanced centrifuges, was attacked in June in an incident blamed on Israel. Iran has refused to give the IAEA permission to reinstall new cameras pending a full probe into the June attack, indicating that the UN watchdog’s cameras could have played a role.

There is another political dimension to consider too. By insisting on its position, resulting in the lack of an agreement with Grossi, Iran may have sought to signal to the US that it will not retreat from its key demands in the upcoming JCPOA talks in Vienna.

The future: Iran does not want to be portrayed as responsible for any crisis which may decrease the chances of the revival of the JCPOA.

According to Mohammad Reza Bahonar, a member of Iran’s Expediency Council, the Iranian establishment has reached the conclusion that talks to reach a deal on bringing the JCPOA back to life should continue. This means Tehran will likely try its best to resolve differences with the IAEA, if only to remove obstacles in the way of a revival of the JCPOA.
On the other hand, Iran’s conservative government does not want to disappoint its hardline support base and may therefore adopt tougher discourse and stances on the IAEA and the JCPOA talks—albeit chiefly for domestic consumption.