IAEA Chief Warns of Lost Oversight of Iran's Nuclear Program
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, stated on Monday that the agency has lost contact with Iran's nuclear program and its enriched uranium stockpile over the past year. This declaration, made at the IAEA's quarterly board of governors meeting in Vienna, signals a potential escalation of international pressure on Tehran.
Grossi's stark assessment suggests Iran may be attempting to conceal nuclear capabilities and transfer them to hardened, underground facilities, possibly including the Mount Meishan site, which is considered highly resistant to aerial bombardment. This follows a warning issued by the IAEA board in June 2026, which some sources described as a "yellow card" that Iran avoided by preventing further punitive measures or referral to the UN Security Council.
Iran has reportedly severed ties with IAEA inspectors, refusing access to undeclared nuclear sites, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant. This non-cooperation could lead to a special session at the UN Security Council, a situation Iran reportedly wishes to avoid. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Bakaei responded to Grossi's remarks, stating Iran would take necessary steps if faced with unreasonable, politically motivated demands from the West and attributed the lack of cooperation to the inaccessibility of bombed nuclear sites.
An Israeli source indicated that Iran has been cautious around its nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, where enriched uranium is believed to be stored. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated threats to bomb Mount Meishan. Experts suggest Iran is likely transferring critical nuclear project components to secure locations, aiming to achieve nuclear capability and a deterrent similar to North Korea's, potentially explaining the recent disengagement from the IAEA and focus on the Strait of Hormuz.
Dr. Ariel Levita, former deputy head of Israel's Atomic Energy Commission, confirmed that Iran has undoubtedly moved capabilities to secure sites, though the extent and nature remain unclear. The critical question is whether Grossi's warning and Trump's statements are linked to new intelligence indicating Iran's renewed pursuit of a nuclear weapon.
