ALWAGHT- IAEA Director Rafael Grossi says Iran still holds a significant portion of highly enriched uranium following the June attack.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told RIA Novosti that Iran continues to retain a substantial portion of highly enriched uranium, despite damage to some nuclear facilities. He noted that incomplete data limits the agency’s assessment, but stressed that under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran’s retention of such material is concerning. Grossi also highlighted the need for IAEA access to all nuclear sites, including those that Iran claims are unsafe or inaccessible, to ensure proper verification.
Grossi emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program extends beyond the three facilities targeted by the US, including advanced research and development facilities, operational nuclear power plants, and plans for additional plants with Russian assistance. He underlined that nuclear activities continue across all sectors, and Iran is obliged under the NPT and comprehensive safeguards agreement to provide access to inspectors.
Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, criticized the IAEA’s call for inspections of attacked facilities, arguing that the Agency lacks clear protocols for sites hit during the June attacks by Israel and the US. He said inspections of non-attacked facilities had been conducted, but key nuclear sites damaged in military strikes require defined procedures. Eslami also called on the IAEA to clarify its position and take accountability, noting that Iran has cooperated fully with the agency.
The background to these developments includes the June 13, 2025 attacks by Israel and the United States on Iranian nuclear sites, which triggered a 12-day conflict causing over 1,000 deaths, including military commanders and scientists. In retaliation, Iran targeted strategic sites in the occupied territories and the US’s Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, ultimately halting the aggression by June 24 through its military response.
