Iran May Deny UN Inspectors Access To Bombed Nuclear Sites, Says Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday, June 28, that Tehran may refuse to allow Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to inspect its nuclear sites. The statement marks a potential turning point in Iran's cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

Posting on his official X account, Araghchi dismissed Grossi's insistence on visiting the bombed Iranian nuclear facilities as“meaningless,” particularly in the aftermath of recent military strikes by the U.S. and Israel.“Grossi's insistence on visiting bombed sites under the pretext of inspections is senseless and may even be ill-intentioned,” Araghchi stated.

He further emphasized that Iran reserves the right to take any action necessary to defend its national interests, especially in light of recent escalations. His remarks reflect growing frustration within Tehran over perceived Western interference and pressure.

Just last week, Iran's Parliament passed a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. This legislative move is seen as a direct response to the recent joint airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

The suspension represents a sharp shift in Iran's nuclear diplomacy and could complicate future negotiations over the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), already strained by years of mistrust.

International observers, including the European Union and the UN, have urged Iran to maintain transparency with the IAEA to avoid triggering a wider diplomatic and security crisis. The IAEA, under Rafael Grossi's leadership, has warned that limited access to Iran's facilities hampers its ability to verify compliance with nuclear non-proliferation standards.

Without renewed diplomatic engagement, the situation risks deteriorating into deeper confrontation between Iran and the West. Experts warn that ending cooperation with the IAEA could push Iran further into isolation and raise the risk of renewed conflict over its nuclear ambitions.

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