Inspectors from the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), have safely departed Iran and returned to Vienna, according to an official statement from the agency. The IAEA is now calling for the urgent restoration of monitoring and verification activities in Iran, which were halted after Iran formally suspended cooperation last Wednesday.
The move comes in the wake of military attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, first by Israel and later by the United States last month. These strikes have significantly raised tensions and disrupted the long-standing inspection framework that ensured transparency over Iran’s nuclear activities.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized the importance of immediately re-establishing monitoring mechanisms with Iran. He highlighted that open dialogue is crucial to preventing further deterioration in nuclear oversight and regional stability.
As a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran is obligated to disclose full details about its uranium enrichment program. However, the recent military conflict and bombing of its nuclear facilities have made the situation increasingly complex and fragile.
The IAEA team had remained in Tehran throughout the recent military escalation but was forced to withdraw due to the growing risks and Iran’s official suspension of cooperation. The agency now awaits diplomatic engagement to resume its critical oversight mission.