SAEDNEWS: Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in an interview with Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency that the agency’s inspectors have not yet been able to return to or regain access to Iran’s nuclear facilities.
According to Saednews reports, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said the agency has not yet been able to regain access to Iranian nuclear facilities that were damaged during the recent military conflict.
Responding to a question about inspections, Grossi stated that the IAEA has formally requested permission to revisit the affected sites, but access has not yet been granted.
Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stressed that there are currently no plans to allow access to the targeted nuclear facilities or Iran's nuclear materials. He stated that any future arrangements regarding inspections would only be addressed within the framework of a final agreement, following practical measures by the other parties, including the complete removal of sanctions and the resolution of other outstanding issues.
The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry also referred to the memorandum of understanding that ended the conflict, noting that, under Article 8 of the document, negotiations on nuclear-related issues are expected to take place within a 60-day period. The spokesperson added that the start of those negotiations depends on the fulfillment of the preliminary conditions outlined in Article 13 of the agreement.
Grossi further stated that the IAEA believes Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium remains at its nuclear facilities.
He said the agency's current assessment is that the nuclear material is still located at the sites where it was previously stored. However, he emphasized that the IAEA cannot confirm this with certainty until inspectors are allowed to return, conduct on-site inspections, and verify that all declared materials remain in place.
Grossi acknowledged that the agency has not yet been able to carry out those inspections but said there are reasonable grounds to believe the materials have not been relocated.
He added that the IAEA's assessment is based on the agency's most recent routine inspections, which were conducted before last summer's 12-day conflict.
