IAEA Chief: Iran Inspections Aren't Up for Debate

Inspections of Iran's most sensitive nuclear sites aren't a "maybe," according to the UN's top atomic watchdog—they're a matter of when. Speaking Wednesday at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi acknowledged Tuesday's "war of words," but said a memorandum of understanding signed last week by President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian clearly places Iran's nuclear activities under IAEA oversight, per the AP and Euronews. That means "we will have to inspect," Grossi said, adding that whether access comes in days or a week is "important, but not essential. This is going to happen."

His comments cut against Tehran's line that enrichment facilities hit by US and Israeli strikes are off-limits, and against mixed messaging around the Trump-Pezeshkian ceasefire deal, which halted military action and opened a 60-day window to hash out Iran's nuclear future. Since US and Israeli military action against Iran in June 2025, inspectors have been barred from key enrichment plants where Iran is believed to hold enough highly enriched uranium for up to 10 bombs, though Tehran insists its program is peaceful. The IAEA has been allowed to visit sites like the Bushehr plant but says that without full access, it can't verify Iran's stockpile or enrichment status.