IAEA urges Iran to restore nuclear inspections

The International Atomic Energy Agency has urged Iran to restore inspections of its nuclear facilities, saying it cannot verify the status of nuclear material or determine whether the Isfahan Fuel Enrichment Plant contains such material. The agency said the lack of information and access raises a serious proliferation concern that needs urgent attention.

In a report circulated to member states on November 13, the IAEA said it does not know the Isfahan plant’s precise location or its status under safeguards. Iran has not allowed inspectors to examine the facility or provided its design plans, the report said. Iran declared the plant in 2025, but inspectors have not accessed it.

The agency called on Iran to take gradual technical steps that could make inspectors’ return possible and allow verification activities to resume without delay. The report said the IAEA was prepared to resume safeguards work in Iran at short notice. Its Board of Governors is due to discuss the report next week.

Iran told the IAEA that inspections could not resume under the current security conditions, citing persistent public threats of further US military action, according to the report. Iranian Foreign...