Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly pledged on Wednesday that Iran is willing to open its nuclear facilities to "any inspection" to demonstrate the country is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons. The statement was made during an event commemorating the 47th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, as negotiations between the US and Iran continue in an effort to prevent American military action.

President Pezeshkian stated during the ceremony, "We have declared many times that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons. We are prepared to accept any form of inspection." However, it remains unclear whether this declaration signifies a shift in Iran's current policy, which has previously only permitted partial inspections of its nuclear sites.

The president's remarks come as the United States continues a naval buildup in waters near Iran. Concurrently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US President Donald Trump, lobbying him to increase pressure on Iran, the region's primary adversary, demanding it not only halt uranium enrichment but also abandon its most powerful ballistic missiles.

Following the meeting, President Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, calling it "a very good meeting." He added, "No substantive results were reached, other than my insistence on continuing negotiations with Iran to see if a deal is possible. I told the Prime Minister that if a deal can be made, that would be our preferred option."

In his post, Trump also indicated that if an agreement cannot be reached, "we will just have to see what happens." He referenced a past instance, stating, "Last time Iran thought it was better off without a deal, they got 'Operation Midnight Hammer'—that didn't work out well for them."

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said in an interview on Wednesday that the agency's inspectors have been waiting for months and still lack access to three key Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities that were bombed by Israel and the US in June 2025.

Grossi suggested that a change in stance from Iran in these high-stakes negotiations would send a "signal that Iran embraces transparency and has nothing to hide, making any justification for a new attack at least untenable."

According to Grossi, Iran had previously blocked IAEA inspectors from these underground facilities—two of which were hit by the largest conventional bombs ever used—pending the implementation of "specific measures or an agreement." He characterized these as "reasons and excuses for a fundamentally political position."

He stated, "Beyond reasonable physical protection measures that might be needed when entering bombed or attacked tunnels, no other conditions are necessary. This is part of our ongoing dialogue, and disagreement, with Iran."

By blocking inspector access, Iran has been able to conceal the full extent of the damage inflicted by Israel and the US on its Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan enrichment programs during a 12-day war in June 2025.

Iran claims that 400 kilograms of uranium, enriched to a purity level just over 60%—a level close to the 90% needed for nuclear weapons—remain buried under rubble from the bombing. Western nations have expressed concern over the whereabouts of this material.

Grossi stated that the IAEA is "confident the uranium remains" within the underground facilities. "I cannot be 100 percent certain, but we are reasonably sure, and this has been cross-verified through other channels. It is a consensus view, even if Iran does not confirm it, they do not deny it either," he said.

Grossi warned that analysis is not equivalent to on-site verification, and the mere existence of this nuclear material carries inherent risks. "This material is there, enough for several, even more than a dozen, nuclear devices. This poses an undeniable proliferation risk—even if it is hidden or buried under rubble," he cautioned.

Reports suggest that transferring this nuclear material to a third country could be part of an agreement to avert an attack by President Trump, who has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group, fighter jets, and air defense systems to the region while repeatedly warning Iran that "time is running out."

Last year's conflict was triggered when Israel launched a war 48 hours before the sixth round of planned US-Iran nuclear talks were scheduled to begin. Grossi noted that Israel's decision to bomb also forced the cancellation of a planned IAEA inspection of a new Iranian facility.

"Before the war began, Iran announced a new underground facility in Isfahan. We immediately requested access for inspection. Iran approved, and we were scheduled to visit the facility on June 13," he said. "On that day, Israel began bombing Iran."

To this day, IAEA inspectors remain unable to access that facility and are unaware of its purpose, scale, or construction progress. "The place certainly exists—but it could be an empty hall, or it could be in preparation for installing centrifuges," Grossi said. "We don't even know if there is equipment inside—we should not speculate."

As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)—which Israel has not signed—Iran is only obligated to open its facilities for inspection if they are related to its nuclear program.

Israel maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding its own nuclear program. According to estimates by the Federation of American Scientists, Israel has possessed nearly 100 nuclear weapons since the 1960s but has never opened its nuclear facilities to independent inspection.

"For us, compliance means allowing us full access for inspection," Grossi stated. Iran is permitted to enrich uranium, but "the quid pro quo under the NPT regime is that they can do so, but they must allow us to inspect, down to the last gram of uranium, to ensure it is accounted for and not diverted for other purposes."