The nuclear watchdog’s demand for a “strong system” emerges as Washington and Tehran offer conflicting accounts regarding ceasefire negotiations.
Published On 26 Jun 2026
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has emphasized the necessity of implementing a “very strong system of verification” to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities.
On Friday, Director General Rafael Grossi advocated for the agency to be granted unrestricted access, noting that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weaponry is a primary objective of the preliminary ceasefire agreement with the United States.
For years, the United States and its Western allies have warned that Tehran’s nuclear program could be a precursor to weaponization. Iran has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that its nuclear ambitions are exclusively for civilian purposes.
“The Iranian government has clearly stated that developing nuclear weapons is not their intention, but intentions alone are insufficient,” Grossi told reporters on Friday. “To ensure certainty, we require a robust verification system to be implemented as soon as possible.”
Grossi stressed that while the IAEA does not exist to judge intent, it cannot rely on verbal assurances alone. “We must be able to verify everything, everywhere,” he said.
Inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities—which were targeted during a 12-day conflict involving the US and Israel last June—have become a central point of contention. This tension persists as Washington and Tehran negotiate a permanent peace deal based on a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed earlier this month.
Following last year’s attacks, Tehran suspended its cooperation with the IAEA. Although the country agreed to allow inspectors to return in September, and IAEA officials have since conducted site visits, certain issues remain unresolved. Specifically, Iran has yet to grant access to the facilities that were bombed, and the status of its enriched uranium stockpiles remains unaccounted for.
A Discrepancy in Narratives
The United States and Iran have issued contradictory statements as they pursue a long-term ceasefire.
The US claims that full inspection protocols were established within the MoU and subsequent discussions. Conversely, Iran maintains that negotiations regarding inspections remain limited at this stage.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on Wednesday that access to the damaged nuclear sites and materials would be addressed “within the framework of a final agreement” with the US. He further noted that UN inspections are contingent upon the US taking “practical action to terminate all sanctions.”
The US rejects this position. President Donald Trump has dismissed Tehran’s claims as “protestations and false statements,” asserting that Iran has already agreed to the “highest level of nuclear inspections.”
Grossi acknowledged that a “war of statements” is underway but pointed out that the MoU explicitly stipulates that the nuclear components of the agreement will “be supervised by the IAEA.”
“Technical work has commenced, and we hope to be on the ground soon,” Grossi added, noting that the immediate timing is not critical as the MoU involves various elements beyond the nuclear issue.
On Friday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again rejected accusations regarding its nuclear program. This came in response to a joint statement by the US Secretary of State and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers, which outlined a shared goal of preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Reiterating that its program is “peaceful,” Tehran labeled the accusations as fabrications by the US and Israel. The ministry further urged GCC member states to collaborate with Iran in establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in West Asia.
