IAEA Urges Iran to Accept Nuclear Inspections: "Must Disclose Locations of Highly Enriched Uranium"

Grossi Calls for Swift Action in NHK Interview

"We Are an Independent Organization... Will Conduct Inspections Ourselves"

As the United States and Iran continue to clash over whether Iran will accept nuclear inspections, Raphael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has called for a swift agreement on the issue.

Raphael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is holding a press conference at the Vienna Headquarters in Austria on the 8th (local time). Photo by AFP Yonhap News

In an interview with Japan’s NHK on the 23rd, Director General Grossi said about the Iranian nuclear inspection, “The sooner, the better. Especially since this agreement has a 60-day deadline, we need to work without wasting much time.”

He identified confirming the location of highly enriched uranium within Iran as the top priority, stating, “We have a general idea of where this material might be, but it is important for Iran to directly provide the locations.” He added, “Some storage facilities have been attacked and partially destroyed, so further review may be needed to determine how to access them.”

Grossi also stated that the IAEA would soon contact the Iranian side to coordinate the inspection schedule and details. He emphasized, “The IAEA is an independent international organization and will conduct its own inspections,” adding, “If Iran wishes to invite the United States or other observers, that is a separate matter.”

The United States and Iran have expressed conflicting positions regarding Iran’s acceptance of nuclear inspections. Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance announced after high-level talks in Switzerland that Iran had agreed to allow the IAEA inspection team to return. However, Iran has publicly denied this. Ismael Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a press briefing, “There are no plans for the IAEA to inspect Iranian nuclear facilities, and there are essentially no procedures in place for this.”

The IAEA has been unable to conduct on-site inspections since the attack on Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States and Israel in June 2025. Earlier this month, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution urging Iran to disclose information on enriched uranium and to accept inspections.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.