The IAEA enters Iran's nuclear facilities - Tehran denies

Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will gain access to Iran's nuclear facilities as part of the interim peace agreement reached between the United States and Tehran. The revelation was made by the IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, during a press conference he held today, June 26, 2026, in Japan. "The IAEA must have access and carry out inspections," Rafael Mariano Grossi stated that the agreement explicitly provides for the agency's inspectors' access to the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities. "There is an agreement and, in order for it to be upheld, the IAEA must have access and carry out inspections," he characteristically stated. At the same time, he expressed the hope that the agency's inspectors would be in Iran soon to begin their work. "We hope to be there very soon," he added.

Grossi: "The IAEA will inspect the facilities"

Speaking from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, Rafael Grossi acknowledged that a "war of statements" is currently underway regarding the Iranian nuclear program. However, he clarified that the memorandum signed by both sides explicitly provides for the IAEA's supervisory role. "I understand that there are political statements and different approaches. But the key element is that a memorandum of understanding has been signed by the two presidents," he noted. As he emphasized, the text of the agreement explicitly stipulates that all activities concerning nuclear material and related facilities will be under the supervision of the IAEA. "Obviously, for this to happen, we will need to carry out inspections. Whether this happens in two days, in one week, or in ten days is not the most important thing. What matters is that the inspections will take place," he declared.

Tehran denies the IAEA chief

Shortly afterward, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, reacted publicly to Rafael Grossi's statements, claiming that Tehran has not yet agreed to inspections of enrichment facilities. As he wrote on the X platform, these issues will be examined exclusively within the framework of a final agreement and only if the other side proceeds with practical moves for the full lifting of all sanctions and other restrictive measures. At the same time, he accused those who are attempting to influence developments through the media. "You cannot promote the policy of 'I provoke tension and impose myself' through media noise," he stated characteristically.

Inspections had been interrupted after the war

Since the start of the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025, Tehran had banned the IAEA from accessing key uranium enrichment facilities. Although inspectors were able to visit other nuclear sites, they could not confirm the status of enriched uranium stockpiles, as they did not have access to the most critical units. According to estimates by international organizations, Iran possesses sufficient quantities of highly enriched uranium which, should a relevant political decision be taken, could be used to build up to ten nuclear weapons. Tehran insists that its nuclear program has an exclusively peaceful character. However, uranium enrichment has reached purity levels of 60%, a percentage much higher than that required for peaceful applications, a fact that continues to cause intense concern in the international community.

Agreement on diluting enriched uranium

The agreement reached between the US and Iran provides, among other things, for the gradual reduction of the enrichment degree of Iranian uranium stockpiles through a downblending process, with technical details being the subject of ongoing negotiations. The two countries have agreed on a 60-day transition period, during which they will attempt to resolve all open issues and reach a definitive agreement. Until then, negotiations will continue at both a technical and political level, while the public positions of the two sides continue to differ significantly, keeping the climate of de-escalation in the region fragile.

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