Tehran (The COW News Digital) Iran has asserted that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cannot demand access to nuclear facilities that were targeted during the June conflict with Israel. Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, told media outlets that pressure from Israel and the United States does not influence Iran’s decisions regarding its nuclear sites.
Eslami clarified that if the IAEA possesses a formal protocol for inspecting the attacked sites, it must present it to Iran for review. Meanwhile, Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization, confirmed that no inspections of these facilities are currently taking place.
Eslami emphasized that prior inspections conducted by the IAEA were approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and focused exclusively on industrial sites not affected by attacks. Kamalvandi noted that while international pressure exists to expedite access to bombed sites, national security concerns and the operational requirements of nuclear installations necessitate careful, legally grounded decision-making to ensure the facilities remain fully protected from any threat.
The announcement follows a resolution passed by the IAEA Board of Governors in November, which called on Iran to provide full and immediate cooperation. The resolution demanded accurate information regarding Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium approaching weapons-grade levels and unfettered access for inspectors to nuclear facilities. Iran, however, had suspended cooperation with the agency, alleging that information about its facilities was being leaked to Israeli authorities and criticizing the IAEA for failing to condemn Israeli and American attacks.
The dispute stems from a 12-day military conflict in June, during which Israeli forces conducted strikes on Iranian territory. The conflict coincided with the sixth round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, brokered by the Sultanate of Oman in 2025. The talks had seen five previous rounds without reaching a definitive agreement, and the Israeli attacks occurred just as the Iranian delegation was preparing for further discussions.
Iran’s stance underscores the ongoing tension between international oversight efforts and national security priorities. Officials stress that decisions about IAEA access will be made based on law and security requirements, highlighting the challenge of balancing transparency with protection of sensitive nuclear infrastructure.
