The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, has demanded that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopt a clear position regarding the attacks carried out against the country's nuclear facilities last June. According to Operative Information Center-OMM, Eslami stated that the agency must address the military interventions by the United States and Israel before inspectors are granted access to the affected sites.
Eslami noted that an official letter has been sent to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, requesting the development of specific instructions and protocols for inspecting bombed areas.
He emphasized that Tehran had proposed a resolution to ban attacks on nuclear facilities during the IAEA General Conference last September, but the initiative was not adopted.
The Iranian official criticized the agency's current approach, describing it as unrealistic and unprofessional.
“The agency must clarify its role regarding military attacks against registered nuclear enterprises under its supervision. The approach applied to Iran under pressure from Israel and the US is unfair. Special inspection protocols must be developed for facilities targeted during military strikes, taking into account environmental risks,” Eslami added.
Currently, IAEA inspectors have access to 13 out of 16 nuclear facilities in Iran; however, entry to key centers in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan that were damaged in the attacks has not yet been facilitated. Rafael Grossi has expressed concern over the potential loss of oversight regarding Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles, warning that the current situation cannot continue indefinitely.
The ongoing tension between Tehran and the IAEA comes amid broader regional instability and stalled negotiations regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The IAEA, established in 1957 as the world's "Atoms for Peace" organization within the United Nations family, is tasked with promoting the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies while ensuring that nuclear materials are not diverted for military purposes. The dispute over site access remains a critical hurdle in international efforts to monitor Iran's nuclear program and ensure regional security.
