IAEA chief says inspectors hope to return to Iran soon

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said on Friday that a memorandum of understanding gives the agency’s inspectors access to Iranian nuclear facilities, despite Tehran’s continued claims that it has not agreed to inspections. Grossi said, "There is a memorandum of understanding that was signed, and in order to meet the terms of the agreement, the IAEA needs access and must monitor Iran’s nuclear activity." He added, "We hope to be there very soon."

Grossi said the first task for inspectors, once they enter Iran, will be to verify that IAEA seals placed on previously inspected nuclear material have not been altered and to make sure no nuclear material is missing from the stockpiles. He stressed that the purpose of the arrangement is to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons. "The goal of this agreement is to make sure there will be no development of nuclear weapons in Iran," he said.

Grossi also said Iran has stated clearly that it does not seek nuclear weapons, but argued that declarations alone are insufficient. "It is clear that aspirations and declarations are not enough. There needs to be a very strong monitoring and verification mechanism, as soon as possible," he said.

His comments came after U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said on Monday that the Iranians had agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back, calling it a major milestone and the first step toward permanent nuclear disarmament or the permanent end of Iran’s weapons program. Iranian Foreign Minister Ismail Baghaei later denied Vance’s account, saying Tehran did not intend to allow IAEA inspectors to visit nuclear sites attacked during the recent confrontation.