IAEA to suspend inspections of damaged Iranian nuclear sites

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will, for the time being, halt inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities damaged by Israeli and U.S. strikes.

A final agreement between the parties has not yet been reached, though diplomats anticipate its conclusion, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Under the proposed terms, IAEA inspections will, for now, cover only those nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic that have not been affected by the attacks.

Earlier on August 26, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that the agency’s first group of inspectors had returned to Iran and is preparing to resume work at the country’s nuclear facilities.

Following the attacks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the suspension of Iran's cooperation with the IAEA, halting compliance with the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons and related safeguards until the safety of its nuclear infrastructure and scientists is guaranteed.

This decision has effectively prevented the IAEA from verifying Iran's current uranium enrichment levels, which are reported to be near weapons-grade.

By Aghakazim Guliyev