VIENNA, July 19 — The International Atomic Energy Agency continues to face major obstacles in verifying Iran’s nuclear activities, with Tehran repeatedly restricting inspector access and pressing ahead with enrichment to near weapons-grade levels, the agency’s latest assessments show. Founded in 1957, the IAEA has long been the body responsible for confirming Iran’s compliance under the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. After the United States withdrew from the agreement, Iran gradually rolled back its cooperation with the agency.
On 23 February 2021, Iran stopped implementing the Additional Protocol, a voluntary arrangement that had allowed IAEA inspectors short-notice access to sites. Inspections were then limited to what Tehran was required to provide under its basic safeguards agreement, a narrower scope that leaves significant gaps in the agency’s knowledge.
Inspections blocked at suspect sites
Concerns deepened on 8 March 2023, when the IAEA reported that Iran had not provided access to locations where the agency suspected past undeclared nuclear activities had taken place. Those sites have been central to the agency’s long-running investigation into undeclared nuclear material. Iran’s refusal to grant access has kept the matter unresolved.
In September 2023, Tehran took the further step of expelling several IAEA inspectors, a move the agency described as damaging to its verification work. The IAEA Board of Governors has adopted resolutions critical of Iran, passing them in June 2022 and again in November 2022.
Each resolution called on Tehran to fully cooperate and provide the access the agency requires. Iran has not complied with those demands.
Enrichment capacity expands
Iran’s enrichment programme has continued to grow. As of February 2025, the IAEA confirmed that Iran is enriching uranium to 60% purity at both the Natanz and Fordow facilities. That enrichment activity is ongoing, the agency reported.
The 60% threshold is not required for any civilian nuclear application Iran has claimed, and it has triggered repeated expressions of alarm from non-proliferation experts. The agency has expressed “serious concerns” over the presence of undeclared nuclear material and activities at sites it has not been able to inspect fully.
The Director General has repeatedly called for full transparency from Iran. Iran maintains that its nuclear work is entirely peaceful. Early findings from the agency’s ongoing verification efforts suggest that the gaps in information will continue to widen unless Iran reverses course.
The IAEA and Iran remain in technical discussions, and diplomatic channels — though strained — have not been entirely shut. For now, the IAEA continues its work, urging Iran to provide the access and transparency necessary for the agency to fulfil its mandate under the JCPOA framework.
