Iran has announced it will not allow inspections of its nuclear facilities that were damaged during recent military strikes, emphasizing the need for clearer regulations from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This decision follows significant strikes conducted by Israel and the United States in June 2023, which targeted Iran’s nuclear program and resulted in damage to critical sites, including Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan. The current state of these facilities remains uncertain.
In a statement, Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, insisted that the IAEA must clarify whether military attacks on such facilities are permissible under international law. Eslami stated that if these attacks are unauthorized, the IAEA should formally condemn them and provide explicit guidelines for inspections following military actions. “If there are established procedures for the post-war situation, the Agency should announce them so that we can act accordingly,” he said, as reported by Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
Eslami further articulated Iran’s position, indicating that until there is a clear definition of what steps should be taken when a nuclear facility under IAEA safeguards is attacked, Iran will not comply with inspections or demands perceived as political pressure. He stated, “Until this issue is clarified, political and psychological pressure, as well as irrelevant demands to re-inspect the bombed facilities, will not be accepted.”
The IAEA, in late November, reiterated its call for Iran to fully cooperate and allow verification of its nuclear materials, while also urging compliance with international safeguards. During a recent meeting of the United Nations Security Council focused on nuclear non-proliferation, the deputy head of the European Union delegation, Hedda Samson, urged Iran to provide updated and verifiable information regarding its nuclear activities.
Concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions were echoed by Jay Dharmadhikari, France’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, who highlighted that Iran’s failure to meet its international obligations poses a significant threat to global peace and security.
Despite these tensions, Eslami reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program is dedicated to peaceful purposes, emphasizing its focus on enhancing the country’s technological and scientific capabilities. This assertion comes amidst reports indicating that Iran is intensifying efforts to rebuild its ballistic missile program, despite the reintroduction of UN sanctions that prohibit arms sales and missile activities.
As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to ensure compliance and transparency in Iran’s nuclear activities. The outcome of these negotiations could have far-reaching implications for regional security and international relations.
