IAEA Calls for Urgent Inspections at Iran Nuclear Sites Amid Ongoing Concerns.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed its deep concern over Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is just a short step away from being used in the production of nuclear weapons. Following the 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States, the agency has been unable to verify the extent of the damage to its facilities.
According to a confidential report circulated to member states, the IAEA was unable to carry out "long overdue" inspections at seven sites targeted by the Israeli and US strikes in June. These include major facilities such as Fordo and Natanz. The agency is now urging Iran to allow it to verify the inventories of previously declared nuclear material to settle concerns over potential diversion for military purposes.
The report criticized Iran's lack of cooperation, but noted that inspectors will visit the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre site on Wednesday to conduct inspections at this location. Despite being attacked by Israel and the US, damage to the facility appears limited, with much of the enriched uranium stockpile likely stored in a deeply buried underground facility.
The IAEA stated that re-establishing a full picture of stocks would be challenging due to the destruction caused during the conflict. Iran's near-bomb-grade uranium stockpile poses an "a matter of serious concern" and is sufficient enough to produce about 10 nuclear bombs, according to calculations.
In response to these concerns, diplomats say much of the destroyed enriched uranium will have been removed, but the extent of the damage to other facilities remains unclear. The IAEA's call for inspections highlights the urgent need to establish transparency over Iran's nuclear program and to prevent any potential diversion of declared nuclear material from peaceful use.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed its deep concern over Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which is just a short step away from being used in the production of nuclear weapons. Following the 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States, the agency has been unable to verify the extent of the damage to its facilities.
According to a confidential report circulated to member states, the IAEA was unable to carry out "long overdue" inspections at seven sites targeted by the Israeli and US strikes in June. These include major facilities such as Fordo and Natanz. The agency is now urging Iran to allow it to verify the inventories of previously declared nuclear material to settle concerns over potential diversion for military purposes.
The report criticized Iran's lack of cooperation, but noted that inspectors will visit the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre site on Wednesday to conduct inspections at this location. Despite being attacked by Israel and the US, damage to the facility appears limited, with much of the enriched uranium stockpile likely stored in a deeply buried underground facility.
The IAEA stated that re-establishing a full picture of stocks would be challenging due to the destruction caused during the conflict. Iran's near-bomb-grade uranium stockpile poses an "a matter of serious concern" and is sufficient enough to produce about 10 nuclear bombs, according to calculations.
In response to these concerns, diplomats say much of the destroyed enriched uranium will have been removed, but the extent of the damage to other facilities remains unclear. The IAEA's call for inspections highlights the urgent need to establish transparency over Iran's nuclear program and to prevent any potential diversion of declared nuclear material from peaceful use.