Iran has firmly stated it will not comply with inspection demands from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding its nuclear sites that were recently damaged by military attacks. This decision follows significant airstrikes in June 2023 carried out by Israel and the United States, which targeted critical facilities in Iran’s nuclear program, including Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan.
Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, emphasized that Iran requires established regulations for inspecting facilities that have been subjected to military strikes. He asserted that the IAEA must clarify whether such attacks are permissible under international law. If the agency determines they are not authorized, Eslami called for a formal condemnation of the strikes and the establishment of clear procedures for post-conflict inspections.
“Until this issue is clarified, political and psychological pressure, as well as irrelevant demands to re-inspect the bombed facilities and complete the enemy’s operations, will not be accepted and will receive no response,” Eslami stated, as reported by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
IAEA’s Response and International Pressure
In late November 2023, the IAEA urged Iran to fully cooperate and allow verification of nuclear materials, adhering to international safeguards and the requirements set by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). During a recent UNSC meeting focused on nuclear non-proliferation, Hedda Samson, the deputy head of the European Union delegation, called on Iran to provide updated and verifiable declarations regarding the quantity, location, and status of its nuclear materials and related activities.
France’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Jay Dharmadhikari, remarked that Iran’s failure to fulfill its international obligations concerning its nuclear program poses a serious threat to global peace and security. This sentiment reflects growing international concern over Iran’s nuclear activities, particularly in light of the recent military strikes that have heightened tensions in the region.
In October 2023, reports indicated that Iran is accelerating the development of its ballistic missile program, despite the reintroduction of UN sanctions that prohibit arms sales and ballistic missile activities. Eslami reiterated Iran’s position, asserting that the country’s nuclear program remains peaceful and focused on enhancing its technological and scientific capabilities.
While the situation continues to evolve, the international community is closely monitoring Iran’s actions and their implications for regional stability and global security. The lack of clarity surrounding the condition of Iran’s nuclear facilities following the military strikes adds another layer of complexity to an already sensitive geopolitical landscape.
