Iran has announced it will not permit inspections of its nuclear sites that were damaged in recent military strikes until the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) establishes clear guidelines for such evaluations. The decision follows significant military actions in June by Israel and the United States that targeted key facilities, including those at Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan. The extent of the damage and the current operational status of these sites remain uncertain.
Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, emphasized that the IAEA must clarify whether military strikes on nuclear facilities are permissible. He stated that if these attacks are unauthorized, the agency should take a stance against them and outline protocols for inspections in post-conflict scenarios.
“If there are established procedures for the post-war situation, the Agency should announce them so that we can act accordingly,” Eslami said, as reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). He further insisted that until these issues are resolved, Iran will reject any perceived political or psychological pressure to re-inspect the bombed facilities.
The IAEA had previously urged Iran to cooperate fully and allow verification of its nuclear materials, adhering to international safeguards and United Nations Security Council requirements. During a recent Security Council meeting focused on nuclear non-proliferation, Hedda Samson, the deputy head of the European Union delegation, reiterated the need for Iran to provide updated and verifiable information regarding the quantity and status of its nuclear materials.
Jay Dharmadhikari, France’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, reinforced the notion that Iran’s non-compliance with its international obligations related to its nuclear program poses a serious threat to global peace and security.
Additionally, reports indicate that Iran is advancing its ballistic missile program despite the reintroduction of UN sanctions that prohibit arms sales and missile activities. Eslami reiterated Iran’s stance that its nuclear agenda remains peaceful, focusing on enhancing the nation’s technological and scientific capabilities.
As tensions continue, the international community will be watching closely to see how Iran navigates its commitments amid ongoing scrutiny from the IAEA and the United Nations.
