By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran is willing to end an impasse with the U.N. nuclear agency regarding its atomic program but will not yield to pressure, stated Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi after meeting IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in Tehran on Thursday.

Diplomats revealed that European powers (E3) are advocating for a new resolution against Iran by the IAEA board next week to compel Tehran over its perceived poor cooperation.

These discussions occur as Donald Trump prepares to assume office again as U.S. President in January. During his earlier term, the U.S. exited the 2015 nuclear accord aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear activities. It's uncertain if Trump will persist with his "maximum pressure" strategy on Iran upon his return.

Araqchi expressed on X after talks with Grossi that, "The ball is in the EU/E3 court. We are willing to negotiate based on our national interest and inalienable rights, but not under pressure and intimidation." Araqchi further stated, "I hope the other side will adopt a rational policy."

Relations between Tehran and the IAEA have soured over prolonged issues, including Iran's refusal to allow the agency's uranium-enrichment experts into the country and its lack of explanations regarding uranium traces found at undisclosed locations.

In August, the IAEA indicated that Iran's highly enriched uranium production continues and its cooperation remains inadequate despite a resolution passed by the IAEA Board of Governors in June.

Grossi, who has consistently pursued progress with Tehran, noted that, "Inspections are just one chapter of our cooperation and cannot be discussed."

The U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018 and the reinstatement of sanctions prompted Tehran to breach uranium enrichment limits, considered by the West as a means to develop nuclear weapon capabilities.

Tehran enriches uranium up to 60% fissile purity, near the 90% threshold required for an atomic bomb, although it asserts its nuclear endeavors are purely peaceful.

Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, described his meeting with Grossi as "constructive" but warned that Tehran would promptly respond to any resolutions against it at the upcoming IAEA meeting, without further details.

An Iranian official revealed that Tehran's response to a resolution might include limiting diplomatic and technical cooperation with the IAEA.

In a televised joint press conference with Eslami, Grossi urged Tehran to take action to resolve outstanding issues. "It is in our power to take concrete steps that will signal clearly to the U.S. and international community that we can provide solutions and move forward," Grossi stated.

Having arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, Grossi is expected to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for the first time since taking office in August. On Tuesday, Pezeshkian, perceived as relatively moderate, expressed that Tehran cannot ignore its longtime adversary, the United States, and must "handle its enemies with forbearance."