Facing looming UN sanctions, the Iranian regime seeks to project cooperation with the IAEA while simultaneously diverting billions to strengthen its armed forces.
Pressure Mounts Ahead of Snapback Deadline
With less than three weeks until the automatic reimposition of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions, Iranian officials are signaling openness to renewed cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and possible negotiations with the United States.
On September 8, the state-run outlet Farhikhtegan, affiliated with Supreme Leader adviser Ali Akbar Velayati, reported that the regime has decided to resume talks with Washington—so long as UNSC sanctions are not reimposed while negotiations are ongoing. This follows the decision by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (the E3) to activate the 30-day snapback mechanism on August 28. Without an extension, sanctions will return automatically on September 27.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attempted to reassure European powers in a September 7 op-ed in The Guardian, claiming Iran was ready to accept limits on uranium enrichment and allow “extensive” international oversight in exchange for sanctions relief. His message was directed specifically to the E3, underscoring Tehran’s desperation to avoid full isolation.
Talks With the IAEA
Iran and the IAEA held their third round of discussions in Vienna on September 6. Following the meeting, Araghchi and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi suggested they were close to finalizing a new cooperation framework. However, Grossi admitted there was no agreed timeline for inspections to resume, nor clarity on the scope of those inspections.
Despite the regime’s rhetoric, past behavior raises doubts over its willingness to make meaningful concessions. Tehran recently rejected an E3 proposal that would have extended the snapback deadline by six months in exchange for restoring full cooperation with the IAEA and addressing its stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium. Araghchi and Grossi are expected to meet again in Cairo in the coming days to continue discussions.
Observers note that these overtures may be more about buying time than genuine transparency, as the regime calculates that promises of cooperation could deter sanctions without requiring actual compliance.
Parliament Approves Bill to Boost Military Spending
Even as Tehran courts Western diplomacy, its parliament has moved aggressively to strengthen the armed forces. On September 7, the regime’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission approved a six-clause bill aimed at boosting “defense capabilities.”
The bill mandates:
- Full payment of all budgeted funds for the armed forces for both the current and previous fiscal years.
- Allocation of additional defense funds from public savings and oil revenues.
- Release of up to two billion euros from foreign assets through the Central Bank for emergency defense projects.
- Provision of another two billion euros for major foreign defense purchases.
- Authorization of $1.5 billion in oil revenues to the armed forces.
- Allocation of 30 percent of annual air transit fees to air defense systems.
The clause allowing large-scale foreign purchases has drawn attention, as regime officials have already signaled interest in acquiring military equipment from countries such as China and Belarus. Defense Minister Aziz Nasir Zadeh traveled to Beijing in June to discuss arms procurement, while President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent trip to Minsk reportedly focused on restoring Iranian air defense and electronic warfare systems.
Military Readiness Inspections
In parallel, Artesh Commander Major General Amir Hatami inspected several tactical airbases in Esfahan, Tabriz, and Hamedan on September 6. State media emphasized that the visits were aimed at evaluating combat readiness. These bases have previously sustained significant damage in past conflicts.
Hatami’s statements indicated that the regime is bracing for further confrontation, even as its diplomats present an image of moderation abroad.
Dual Track: Diplomacy and Militarization
The regime’s current strategy reveals a familiar pattern: projecting willingness to cooperate internationally while diverting enormous resources to military buildup at home. This dual approach underscores Tehran’s priorities—securing sanctions relief to access frozen assets, while simultaneously expanding the capabilities of its armed forces.
With the UNSC snapback deadline approaching, Iran faces growing isolation. Its simultaneous pleas for negotiations and massive defense spending expose the leadership’s attempt to delay accountability while preparing for escalation.
