UN Atomic Agency Urges Gradual Steps for Inspector Access to Nuclear Sites

The United Nations nuclear watchdog has urged Iran to take gradual steps to allow inspectors back into key nuclear facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency, known as the IAEA, stated that this access is critical. Inspectors have not had access to these main sites since a 12-day conflict in June 2025 involving Israel and the United States, which included strikes on nuclear locations. Further nuclear sites were also hit in a separate war that started on February 28.

Verification Concerns

In a report released on Friday, the IAEA stated it needs to carry out verification work without any more delay. Agency head Rafael Grossi encouraged Iran to look at technical and gradual measures to let inspectors return. The report noted that military attacks on these sites created an unprecedented situation. However, the agency cannot confirm that declared nuclear material has not been diverted from peaceful uses due to a lack of cooperation. This raises serious proliferation concerns that must be fixed urgently. In September, the IAEA board referred Iran to the UN Security Council for the first time in 20 years over a failure to meet nuclear reporting rules. Before the June 2025 strikes, Iran held about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent. This level is close to the 90 percent needed for a bomb and far above the 3.67 percent limit from a 2015 agreement. The current status of this stockpile remains uncertain. Iran has always denied trying to build a nuclear bomb. Mr. Grossi stated in June that the common belief is the stockpile stays near the Isfahan Fuel Enrichment Plant. The agency is increasingly worried about the lack of information on this plant, noting it does not know the exact location, safeguards status, or if it holds nuclear material. While inspectors visited the Bushehr nuclear plant in September, other key facilities remain closed to them.

Recent Letters

Recent letters show the agency wrote to Iran on Thursday promising to protect confidential information. This followed a message from Tehran about a $20 million reward offered by the United States for details on the nuclear programme. On Wednesday, Iran criticized this reward, which the U.S. military announced last week, and asked the IAEA and the UN Security Council to condemn it.

Context

The IAEA is an independent international organization within the United Nations family that works to promote safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology. When member states restrict access to key facilities, the agency loses the ability to independently verify that nuclear materials are not being diverted toward military applications. Such disputes often lead to diplomatic escalation and referrals to the UN Security Council.