UN Nuclear Watchdog Raises ‘Proliferation’ Concerns Over Iran Nuclear Sites

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has renewed concerns over its inability to verify Iran’s nuclear material, warning that the prolonged lack of access poses a significant proliferation risk and urging Tehran to cooperate with inspectors.

In a confidential report seen by AFP on Thursday, the UN nuclear watchdog said it had been unable to inspect several key Iranian nuclear facilities since the 12-day conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States in June 2025, during which multiple nuclear sites were targeted. Additional strikes on nuclear-related facilities have occurred during the conflict that began on February 28 this year, further complicating monitoring efforts.

“While the agency acknowledged that the military attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and sites have created an unprecedented situation, it is critical for the agency to conduct verification activities in Iran without delay,” the report stated ahead of a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors next week.

Before the June 2025 US strikes, the IAEA estimated that Iran possessed about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity—well above the 3.67 percent cap established under the now-defunct 2015 nuclear agreement and only a short technical step from the 90 percent enrichment level generally associated with weapons-grade material.

The whereabouts and status of that stockpile remain unclear. Iran has denied inspectors access to facilities damaged in US and Israeli attacks, leaving the agency unable to independently verify the material.

“The agency’s lack of access to verify the previously declared highly enriched uranium and low enriched uranium for nearly a year—which is long overdue according to standard safeguards practices—is a matter of proliferation concern,” the report said.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called on Iran to engage with the agency and enable the “full and effective implementation of safeguards” designed to ensure nuclear materials are not diverted for military purposes.

Israel and the United States have long accused Iran of seeking the capability to build a nuclear weapon. US President Donald Trump cited that concern as a justification for military action against Iran in both last year’s conflict and the current war, while insisting that Tehran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.

Iran has consistently rejected the allegations, maintaining that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful civilian purposes and asserting its right to develop nuclear technology under international law.