Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi was giving large numbers of interviews the last few days, following his attendance at the U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva, where he met with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He gave an interview to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Feb. 19, where he sounded a note of optimism about the potential for a deal. “There is a sense of finality, or more concreteness in these mediated … talks,” he said. “Because for the first time the IAEA—myself—was present.” Grossi said the two parties were able to talk about “very concrete things” concerning Iran’s nuclear program, and that “there is clarity in everybody about what is needed for the agreement to happen.” At the same time, he stressed that there are differences.
Grossi said the process is ongoing, and that Iran will be returning with more concrete proposals in response.
