UN Nuclear Watchdog Confirms Iran Site Inspections Will Proceed

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has confirmed that inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites “will be carried out”, but did not provide a specific schedule. The statement was made on Wednesday (24/6) after Tehran and Washington signed an initial agreement aimed at ending the war in the Middle East. The agreement mentions the involvement of the UN nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in the next steps regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told reporters that the agreement “explicitly” states that “nuclear activities to be carried out related to nuclear material facilities will be monitored by the IAEA”. “Clearly, to do that, we have to carry out inspections,” Grossi said during a visit to Japan, as reported by AFP news agency on Wednesday (24/6/2026).

The dates and locations of the inspections are currently under discussion, with a decision to be made soon “in collaboration and cooperation with the Iranian government,” he said. “Whether it happens today, the day after tomorrow, in a week, or in 10 days, it is important but not essential. It will happen,” he added.

Earlier, Iranian authorities said on Tuesday (23/6) that the UN nuclear watchdog would not be allowed to inspect nuclear sites bombed by the United States and Israel last year. Iran rejected claims by US Vice President JD Vance that Tehran had agreed to allow nuclear inspectors back in. However, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Iran had “fully and thoroughly agreed” to allow nuclear inspectors back into the country.