IAEA calls for urgent access to Iran's nuclear sites

September 2, 2026 at 02:28 AM3 min

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for urgent access to Iran's nuclear sites, citing a lack of information and verification as a proliferation concern. The agency's quarterly report, seen by news agencies on Tuesday, highlights unresolved issues at the Isfahan plant and other facilities. Iran has suspended cooperation with the IAEA since US and Israeli strikes in June 2025 and has not yet granted access to bombed sites.

Key Facts

The IAEA's quarterly report labels the lack of information about Iran's nuclear material and access to facilities as a matter of proliferation concern.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed conviction that long-standing problems must be resolved through a long-lasting, verifiable diplomatic agreement.
Iran's Atomic Energy Organization head Mohammad Eslami said on August 26 that the IAEA cannot inspect sites targeted by military attacks until specific criteria and protocols are developed.
Tehran suspended cooperation with the IAEA following US and Israeli attacks on Iran in June 2025, then said in September 2025 it would allow inspectors to return, but access to bombed nuclear sites has not yet been granted.
The IAEA's latest report will be discussed at its board of governors meeting from September 21-25.

IAEA Report Findings

The IAEA has called for 'utmost urgency' to address the lack of access to Iran's nuclear sites. In a quarterly report seen by news agencies on Tuesday, the UN nuclear watchdog labelled its lack of information about nuclear material and access to facilities as a matter of proliferation concern. The report raised particular concerns over the lack of access to the Isfahan plant, which was targeted several times by the US and Israel over the past year. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed his conviction that long-standing problems and recurrent crises must be resolved through a long-lasting, verifiable diplomatic agreement.

Iran's Position

Iran has said that access to sites struck by military action must be arranged via special arrangement. The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami, said on August 26 that the IAEA cannot seek to inspect these centres until it develops specific criteria and protocols for inspecting sites targeted by military attacks. Tehran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog following US and Israeli attacks on Iran in June 2025 that included strikes on nuclear sites. In September 2025, Iran said it would allow the UN agency's inspectors to return, but access to the nuclear sites that have been bombed has not yet been granted.

Enrichment and Verification

Despite US President Donald Trump having claimed last year that the US had destroyed the facilities and crippled Tehran's nuclear programme, Iran's stores of enriched uranium remain unaccounted for. Tehran has repeatedly denied any military ambition linked to its nuclear programme, insisting on its right to the technology for civilian purposes. The IAEA has reported in the past that the level of Iran's uranium enrichment is well above that needed for civilian purposes, although not at weapons grade. The IAEA's latest report will be discussed at its board of governors meeting from September 21-25.