Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says inspections of Iranian nuclear sites will resume following an interim peace accord between the United States and Iran. Speaking on Wednesday in Japan, Grossi confirms that the IAEA will be able to supervise Iran’s nuclear activities under a preliminary agreement between Tehran and Washington that explicitly provides for IAEA oversight. He does not set a specific timetable, but says the IAEA is working with the Iranian government to agree on the timing, locations, and procedures for inspections. Grossi describes these details—known as “modalities”—as expected to be decided soon, adding that inspections will happen regardless of whether they occur immediately or later.
The statements come amid differing accounts of inspection access. Iran says inspectors would not be allowed to visit certain nuclear facilities bombed by the United States and Israel last year. The United States, through senior officials, says Iran has agreed to grant inspectors full and complete access. Despite the dispute over scope, all accounts indicate that the interim accord allows the IAEA process to move forward while technical arrangements remain under discussion.
