Nearly two months after Tehran cut off co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog has sent inspectors back to Iran just as the country faces the possible re-imposition of sweeping international sanctions.
Iran suspended inspections in July, citing the bombing of key US and Israeli facilities in June. But the inspectors’ return is mostly symbolic.
The IAEA mission, confirmed by Director General Rafael Grossi, is now largely preparatory, focusing on “practical arrangements” to restore monitoring at sites, some of which were badly damaged in the strikes.
Without wider access and co-operation, it is unlikely that the future “renewal” of UN sanctions, which European states plan to launch at the end of the month, will be delayed.
Even if Iran allows site visits, access to sensitive locations such as Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan-all of which have been attacked by the US-may remain closed, limiting the IAEA’s ability to verify Iran’s nuclear activities.
A deeper obstacle is Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. Some 400 kilogrammes of enriched uranium, close to munitions level, remain unaccounted for, causing alarm in Western capitals.
The E3 group – Britain, France and Germany – have made clear that further sanctions relief depends on three conditions: full restoration of inspections, transparent accounting of uranium stockpiles and credible diplomatic engagement with Washington. On the last point, Iran has repeatedly refused direct talks with the United States.
The situation is complicated by Iran’s deep distrust of the IAEA, which Tehran accuses of political bias and non-judgement of Israeli and US military action. The media went further, with the Kayhan newspaper even calling for Grossi to be “tried and executed” if he sets foot on Iranian territory.