International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has underscored the need for a more robust and effective verification regime to assess Iran’s nuclear program, stressing that the agency must be granted unrestricted access to all of the country’s nuclear facilities to determine the nature of its activities.
Grossi’s remarks were reported by The Times of Israel on Friday.
He noted that while Iran has consistently maintained its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes and not for the development of nuclear weapons, credible international verification remains essential. He emphasized that assurances alone are insufficient and that conclusions must be based on on-site inspections and independent verification.
Grossi further stated that the IAEA’s mandate is not to assess the political intentions of any country, but rather to verify facts in accordance with international safeguards and standards. To fulfill that responsibility, the agency requires comprehensive access to all relevant nuclear sites.
The United States and several Western countries have long expressed concern over Iran’s nuclear activities, alleging that Tehran is seeking the capability to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has repeatedly rejected those allegations, insisting that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and intended for civilian purposes.
According to Al Jazeera, the issue of international inspections gained renewed urgency after U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted several Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict in June last year. Since then, access for international inspectors has remained a central issue in diplomatic discussions.
Washington and Tehran are currently engaged in negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent peace agreement based on a 14-point framework signed earlier this month.
Although Iran initially suspended cooperation with the IAEA following the attacks, it later allowed inspectors to return to some facilities. However, the damaged nuclear sites remain off-limits to international inspectors, and Tehran has yet to provide a full accounting of its stockpile of enriched uranium.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said inspections of the damaged facilities would be considered as part of a future comprehensive agreement. He also indicated that progress on international inspections would depend, in part, on the lifting of U.S. sanctions.
Sources: The Times of Israel and Al Jazeera.