The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Iran has not
permitted inspectors to access its nuclear sites damaged during recent Israeli
and US airstrikes, making verification of enriched uranium stocks "long
overdue." IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi condemned the lack
of cooperation, calling for a full resumption of inspections without delay.
IAEA Reports Iran’s Nuclear Verification Overdue
As reported by Yara Bayoumy of Reuters, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on November 12, 2025, that Iran still has not allowed its inspectors into nuclear sites damaged in airstrikes by Israel and the United States in June 2025. This refusal has led to verification of Tehran's enriched uranium stockpile being described as
"long overdue" by the agency.
The head of the IAEA has called on Iran to immediately resume
full inspections, which the country has so far refused.
Similarly, Vefa Tarhan of Al Arabiya English highlighted the
confidential IAEA report released on the same day, stating that the IAEA has
been unable to verify stocks of enriched uranium or gain access to the main
nuclear facilities since June. The report also confirms Iran formally suspended
cooperation with the agency in July and allowed only a minimal presence of two
inspectors at the Bushehr nuclear power plant briefly after the suspension, who
had to leave soon after.
Background to the Suspension of Inspections
The inability of the IAEA inspectors to perform their duties
stems from the military conflict in June 2025, when Israel and the United
States launched airstrikes on several Iranian nuclear sites. According to a
September 2025 analysis by ISIS Online, the 12-Day War led to the temporary
suspension of all in-field verification and monitoring activities by the IAEA
in Iran. The agency withdrew all its inspectors for safety reasons, citing
threats from Iranian regime forces during this period.
Iran subsequently officially halted cooperation with the
IAEA in July 2025, as reported by ISIS Online, amid the strained security
environment. Efforts to regain partial access through limited inspections at
Bushehr were short-lived, and Iran denied access to other key sites, including
a new uranium enrichment facility under construction near Esfahan (Isfahan) and
to information regarding stockpiles of enriched uranium.
Lack of Access to Major Nuclear Sites and Facilities
The IAEA’s November 2025 report provides detailed
assessments of the major Iranian nuclear sites damaged in June. According to
the report and satellite imagery, significant structural damage was sustained
by facilities such as the Fordow Enrichment Plant (FEP), with direct impacts on
underground enrichment halls. The Isfahan Fuel Enrichment Plant (IFEP), a new
facility Iran had notified the IAEA about just before the bombing started, was
among the targeted sites but inspections planned for June 13 were cancelled due
to the conflict.
The report notes that the United States used Tomahawk
missiles to destroy entrances to the tunnel complexes at these sites, severely
restricting physical access for inspections. Although Iran has attempted
partial restoration of access to some sites, notably reopening one of three
tunnel entrances, key areas like the southernmost portal remain inaccessible.
Consequently, the current operational status of enrichment activities and
stocks of enriched uranium within these tunnel systems remains unknown.
IAEA Uses Alternative Monitoring Methods
Facing a lack of on-site access, the IAEA has resorted to
commercial satellite imagery and other indirect monitoring technologies to
assess the condition of Iran's nuclear facilities. However, the agency
acknowledges the limitations and insufficiency of such remote tools in
fulfilling its verification mandate. According to the confidential report, such
methods cannot replace physical inspection and verification mandated by
safeguards and agreements.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has publicly stated that the ongoing denial of inspection access
"is not something that can go on for months on end"
and that Iran’s request for a
"safeguards a la carte"
approach is unacceptable and contrary to
international obligations.
Unresolved Safeguard Issues Since 2018
Another critical concern highlighted in the IAEA report is
the lack of progress on unresolved safeguards issues stemming from as far back
as 2018. The agency continues to seek information and access concerning Iran's
centrifuge production, uranium mining and milling operations, and stockpiles of
low-enriched and highly enriched uranium, among other nuclear materials and
equipment. Since Iran suspended its adherence to the Additional Protocol in
2021, the IAEA has been unable to perform complementary accesses necessary to resolve
these outstanding issues.
The agency has condemned Iran's withdrawal of cooperation
and the subsequent designation withdrawals of IAEA inspectors in August 2025 as
unjustified decisions undermining the safeguards system.
Global and Regional Implications
These developments come against a backdrop of decades-long
tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, with the IAEA playing a central role in
monitoring compliance and promoting transparency. As noted by Al Jazeera's June
2025 analysis, the IAEA faces increased scrutiny over its credibility and
effectiveness amid the growing conflict and Iran's obstructions.
The agency's current inability to verify enriched uranium stocks, particularly at sensitive and damaged sites, raises concerns for the international community regarding both nuclear non-proliferation and regional stability.