IAEA Chief Says Inspectors to Visit Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Under US-Iran Peace Agreement
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has announced that the agency’s inspectors are expected to visit Iran’s nuclear facilities soon under the framework of the recently signed US-Iran peace agreement.
Speaking to journalists in Japan, Grossi said inspections in Iran would definitely take place and that the agency is currently finalizing the dates, procedures, and locations for the verification process.
He noted that the US-Iran memorandum of understanding clearly states that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium will be converted into low-enriched uranium under the supervision of the IAEA.
### Conflicting Statements from Iran and the United States
Meanwhile, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, stated that access to nuclear facilities and materials affected by recent US strikes would only be addressed within the framework of a final agreement.
In a statement posted on social media, Gharibabadi said any decision on inspections would depend on the United States taking practical steps to lift all sanctions, adding that public statements alone cannot change realities on the ground.
Earlier, US Vice President J.D. Vance said after meeting Iranian negotiators in Switzerland that Iran had agreed to allow IAEA inspectors back into the country.
However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson rejected that claim, saying no detailed discussions had taken place on the matter and that Tehran had not agreed to grant inspectors access to sensitive nuclear sites targeted in US attacks.
US President Donald Trump later dismissed Iran’s position, insisting that Tehran had fully agreed to international inspections.
### Memorandum of Understanding
Commenting on the contradictory statements from both sides, Grossi emphasized that political declarations are important, but the key reference remains the memorandum signed by the leaders of both countries.
He said the document explicitly assigns the IAEA responsibility for monitoring nuclear materials, facilities, and related activities, ensuring transparency and effective implementation of the agreement.
Grossi also expressed hope that Iran would provide full cooperation to IAEA inspectors whenever the inspection process begins, whether in a few days or within the coming week.
### IAEA Report on Iran’s Nuclear Stockpile
According to the IAEA’s latest report, agency inspectors recently visited the Bushehr nuclear power plant but have not yet been granted access to sensitive nuclear facilities that were reportedly targeted in US strikes last year.
The agency stated that under current conditions it is unable to verify the exact quantity, status, and location of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles or determine whether uranium enrichment activities have been completely halted.
The IAEA estimates that before the conflict, Iran possessed approximately 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. If further enriched, that material could theoretically be sufficient for the production of around ten nuclear weapons.
Iran, however, continues to maintain that its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes and that it has no intention of developing nuclear weapons.
