Arabic version: الوكالة الدولية للطاقة الذرية تدعو إلى تعزيز مراقبة البرنامج النووي الإيراني

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has asserted that a “very strong system of verification” must be put in place to monitor Iran’s nuclear programme. Director General Rafael Grossi made this assertion during a news conference in Tokyo on June 26, 2026, highlighting that ensuring Iran does not develop nuclear weapons is crucial to the preliminary ceasefire agreement with the United States. According to Al Jazeera, he called for full access to Iran’s nuclear facilities.

For years, the U.S. and its allies have expressed concerns that Tehran’s nuclear activities could be aimed at weapon development, a claim Iran has consistently denied, asserting that its nuclear ambitions are strictly civilian. Grossi stated, “The government of Iran has affirmed quite clearly that [developing nuclear weapons] is not their intention, but of course intentions are not enough.”

The IAEA’s role is not to judge intentions but to verify compliance, Grossi stressed. Inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites, which were attacked by the U.S. and Israel in a 12-day war last June, have become a key point of disagreement in negotiations for a permanent peace deal. Although Iran has allowed IAEA inspectors to return to some sites, access to those targeted during the attacks remains restricted.

Both the U.S. and Iran have issued conflicting statements regarding the inspection process as negotiations for a long-term ceasefire continue. While the U.S. claims that inspections were fully agreed on in the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Iran maintains that discussions on this topic are still limited. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi indicated that access to the attacked sites would be examined and resolved “within the framework of a final agreement” with the U.S.

In response to a joint statement from U.S. and Gulf Cooperation Council officials aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its position that its nuclear program is peaceful. The ministry dismissed the accusations as fabricated and called for cooperation among GCC states to establish a nuclear-weapons-free zone in West Asia.