WANA (Sep 07) – Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), once again called on Iran to increase its cooperation with the agency and allow inspectors access to its nuclear facilities. The request comes as many of Iran’s recent restrictions on IAEA access have been linked to security concerns following US and Israeli attacks on the country’s nuclear facilities.

 

In a statement to the IAEA Board of Governors, Grossi expressed concern over the agency’s lack of access to all of Iran’s declared nuclear facilities. He said the IAEA had not received updated information for more than a year on the status of Iran’s uranium stockpiles, including uranium enriched to up to 60 percent, which were affected by the June 2025 military attacks.

 

Referring to the Board of Governors’ request in resolution GOV/2025/71, adopted last November, Grossi said the IAEA had been unable during the reporting period to fully carry out its responsibilities under Iran’s safeguards agreement with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

 

He also said the agency had received no information from Iran regarding the status of its declared nuclear materials and facilities and had been unable to access those facilities to conduct field verification activities.

 

Call for a Return to Diplomacy

Grossi said that, under the current circumstances, the IAEA was unable to verify the status of Iran’s nuclear facilities and related nuclear material. As a result, he said, he could not provide a full assessment of Iran’s implementation of obligations related to UN Security Council resolutions and the Board of Governors’ resolutions.

 

He described the situation as “serious and concerning” and called for an immediate change in the current conditions governing relations between Iran and the IAEA.

 

Grossi also urged Iran to resume “constructive” cooperation with the agency to enable the full and effective implementation of safeguards and allow Tehran to meet its obligations under its NPT safeguards agreement.

 

The IAEA chief further described a return to diplomacy and negotiations aimed at finding a solution to outstanding issues concerning Iran’s nuclear program as essential, saying the agency was ready to support such efforts. He also stressed that the status of Iran’s nuclear program has implications for the global non-proliferation regime.

 

Dispute Over the Terms of Cooperation

Grossi’s remarks come as Tehran has repeatedly emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that restrictions on inspectors’ access are primarily linked to security concerns following US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

 

Iranian officials have also repeatedly criticized the IAEA’s conduct and some of its reports, arguing that the country’s extensive cooperation with the agency over the years has not been reflected in a balanced manner. Iranian officials have also raised concerns over the possible disclosure of sensitive information related to the country’s nuclear facilities.

 

Tehran has further criticized the IAEA’s response to military attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, arguing that the attacks, along with continued security threats, have made normal inspection activities more difficult.

 

Despite these disagreements, Grossi emphasized that the IAEA would continue engaging with Iran, saying the agency’s work would continue regardless of the outcome of a potential vote by the Board of Governors on a resolution proposed by the United States, Britain, France and Germany against Iran.