Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated in an interview with the Financial Times that Iran, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has the right to enrich uranium.
Grossi’s remarks come amid heightened tensions following Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to Iranian officials, three safeguarded nuclear sites were targeted during the attacks. Tehran has criticized the IAEA chief for not explicitly condemning the strikes and instead focusing on restoring inspection access.
Grossi said IAEA inspectors have been waiting for months to regain access to three key enrichment sites. Iran has permitted visits to facilities that were not damaged, but maintains that inspections of affected sites require prior clarification of the legal and procedural framework governing post-strike conditions.
Iranian officials have stated that any cooperation with the agency must align with legislation passed by the Iranian parliament, which assigns oversight authority to the Supreme National Security Council. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has reiterated that Iran remains committed to the NPT and its safeguards agreement, while conducting engagement with the IAEA within the framework of domestic law.
The IAEA chief also claimed that Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium may remain at the damaged facilities.
MNA