The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says it has been unable to inspect nuclear facilities in Iran that are affected by the ongoing war conditions. According to accounts based on an IAEA confidential report, the agency cannot fully carry out its safeguards work for those sites. The IAEA warns it is unable to discharge its safeguards responsibilities under its Safeguards Agreement with Iran, which is tied to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty framework.
Multiple reports describe the issue as stemming from access and inspection constraints related to the conflict environment, including facilities affected as of last June. The IAEA’s safeguards role is to provide verification that nuclear material is not diverted to prohibited purposes. In this case, the watchdog’s inability to conduct inspections means its usual monitoring and verification activities are limited for the affected locations. The reports do not specify the number or types of facilities involved, but they consistently focus on the watchdog’s lack of access and its resulting safeguards compliance challenge.
