IAEA Warns of ‘Utmost Urgency’ Over Lack of Access to Iran’s Nuclear Sites

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned that its lack of access to key nuclear facilities in Iran must be addressed with the “utmost urgency,” according to a confidential report seen by AFP on Tuesday.

“The agency's lack of information about this nuclear material and access to facilities to verify it is a matter of proliferation concern,” the IAEA said in the report.

The warning comes amid continued uncertainty over Iran’s nuclear activities following the military conflict in June 2025, when the United States and Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes against Iran’s major nuclear facilities, including the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan sites.

Following the strikes, Tehran suspended cooperation with the IAEA and barred its inspectors from accessing the damaged facilities.

The prolonged lack of access has resulted in what the IAEA described as a complete “loss of continuity of knowledge” regarding Iran’s nuclear program, leaving the agency unable to independently verify the status of Iran’s nuclear materials and activities.

One of the agency’s main concerns is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Before the conflict, Iran was estimated to possess 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to up to 60% purity.

The IAEA has been unable to establish how much of the stockpile survived the attacks, where the material is currently located, or whether any of it has been moved or diverted.

The agency’s inability to verify the whereabouts and condition of the nuclear material has raised concerns over the potential proliferation risks and the need to restore international monitoring of Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The latest report underscores the growing pressure on Tehran to provide the IAEA with access and information needed to assess the status of its nuclear program.