The International Atomic Energy Agency has not carried out inspections at Iran’s nuclear sites since Israel launched its initial attacks on these facilities three weeks ago, sparking a 12-day confrontation.
The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog announced on Friday that it has withdrawn its last remaining inspectors from Iran, as the impasse over access to Iranian nuclear sites struck by the U.S. and Israel shows no sign of easing.
Israel launched the first wave of strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities three weeks ago, igniting a 12-day conflict. Since then, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have been unable to carry out monitoring activities at those sites.
“An IAEA team of inspectors today safely departed from Iran to return to the Agency headquarters in Vienna, after staying in Tehran throughout the recent military conflict,” the agency posted on X.
Shrinking presence and growing risks
Diplomatic sources indicated that only a small number of IAEA inspectors remained in Iran after the outbreak of hostilities. Concerns over their safety have persisted, fueled by harsh criticism of the IAEA from Iranian officials and state media even after fighting subsided.
Tehran has accused the agency of effectively clearing the way for the attacks by publishing a critical report on May 31. That report led the IAEA’s 35-member Board of Governors to pass a resolution finding Iran in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has defended the report, insisting it did not serve as a green light for military action.
Iran suspends cooperation
Iran’s parliament has since approved legislation halting cooperation with the IAEA until assurances are given, such as guarantees for the safety of its nuclear installations. Iranian authorities argue that current conditions are too dangerous for inspectors to return.
Meanwhile, Grossi has stressed the need to quickly reach an understanding with Iran on how the agency can resume its critical monitoring and verification work.
“He reiterated the crucial importance of the IAEA discussing with Iran modalities for resuming its indispensable monitoring and verification activities in Iran as soon as possible,” the agency said.
Despite Tehran’s legislative move, the IAEA noted that Iran has not yet formally informed it of any suspension of cooperation.
