International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors have reported observing routine activities at an Iranian uranium enrichment facility that was previously bombed, a development that could complicate negotiations with Washington regarding Iran's nuclear program.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi reported on Friday that Iran continues to deny inspectors access to the site, despite satellite imagery showing routine operations continuing at the nuclear facility that was targeted in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike last June. Grossi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Geneva last week in an attempt to resolve the stalemate between Iran and inspectors regarding access to nuclear facilities.
In a restricted 12-page report, Grossi wrote, "The Agency has lost continuity of knowledge regarding all previously declared nuclear material at the affected facilities in Iran. This issue needs to be resolved in the most urgent manner." IAEA diplomats are scheduled to meet next week in Vienna to discuss the Iran issue, where technical consultations between Tehran and Washington representatives are expected to occur on the sidelines.
The IAEA has been unable to verify the status and location of Iran's near-weapons-grade uranium stockpile for over eight months. Prior to the June airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities by Israel and the United States, agency inspectors conducted weekly routine checks, but Tehran has since restricted inspection access.
The United States and Iran held their third round of talks on Thursday aimed at reaching an agreement concerning Tehran's nuclear activities, with both sides planning to continue discussions next week. These negotiations occur against the backdrop of repeated military action threats from U.S. President Trump, who has assembled the largest U.S. military force in the Middle East in over two decades.
A source familiar with Washington's position stated that Trump's special envoy Witkow and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, disappointed with the progress of negotiations, have departed Geneva. Iranian officials and the mediating country Oman expressed more optimism. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi posted on social media platform X praising the "significant progress" made in the talks.
Recent satellite imagery indicates that military planners would face a series of dispersed and partially concealed targets with no guaranteed success rate if Trump decided to take action. While U.S. air power could destroy buildings, nonproliferation experts note it cannot eliminate Iran's scientific research capabilities, stored nuclear materials, or its political will to rebuild.
The latest IAEA report corroborates these views. Inspectors stated they observed "routine vehicle activity" via satellite imagery near locations where monitoring personnel believe enriched uranium is stored. Additionally, increased activity signs were observed at Iran's Natanz and Fordow uranium enrichment facilities.
"In the absence of access to these facilities, the Agency cannot confirm the nature and purpose of the relevant activities," Grossi wrote. "The Agency is also unable to provide any information regarding the current scale, composition, or location of the enriched uranium stockpile."
Grossi reiterated that until Iran enhances its cooperation, the agency "will be unable to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful." Iran has yet to submit a damage assessment or clarify the current status and storage locations of its uranium reserves.