The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued an urgent call for immediate access to Iran’s nuclear sites, warning that the current lack of transparency regarding nuclear material is a significant proliferation concern. In a quarterly report released Tuesday, the United Nations watchdog emphasized that it cannot verify the status of these facilities without direct oversight.
Tensions remain high as the United States continues to cite the prevention of an Iranian nuclear weapon—an ambition Tehran consistently denies—as the primary justification for the war launched in March. While the U.S. has shifted its strategic focus toward controlling the Strait of Hormuz, the IAEA remains focused on the status of Iranian uranium stocks. The agency’s report specifically highlights the Isfahan plant, which has faced multiple strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces over the past year, as a site where access is critically lacking.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated his conviction that these recurring crises must be addressed through a durable, verifiable diplomatic agreement. However, Tehran maintains that inspections of sites damaged by military action require special protocols. Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, noted on August 26 that the IAEA cannot inspect these centers until it establishes specific criteria and procedures for sites targeted by military strikes.
The current standoff follows a period of volatile cooperation. Tehran suspended its collaboration with the UN agency after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in June 2025 hit various nuclear facilities. Although Iran signaled in September 2025 that it would allow inspectors to return, access to the bombed sites has not been granted. This persists despite claims from U.S. President Donald Trump last year that the U.S. had successfully destroyed the facilities and crippled the nation’s nuclear program; currently, Iran’s enriched uranium reserves remain unaccounted for.
While Iran insists its nuclear program is strictly for civilian purposes, the IAEA has previously reported that enrichment levels exceed what is necessary for civilian use, though they have not reached weapons-grade status. The agency’s latest findings are scheduled for review during the board of governors meeting taking place from September 21 to 25.
