The United Nations’ nuclear oversight body confirmed on Friday that it has withdrawn its final inspectors from Iran, amid escalating tensions surrounding access to the country’s nuclear sites—several of which were targeted in recent strikes by the United States and Israel.
The military conflict, now in its fourth week, saw Israel launch initial attacks on Iranian nuclear infrastructure during a 12-day confrontation with the Islamic Republic. Since then, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been unable to resume inspections, despite repeated appeals from Director General Rafael Grossi, who has prioritized re-establishing oversight.
In response to the attacks, Iran’s parliament has enacted legislation halting cooperation with the IAEA until it receives assurances about the security of its nuclear installations. Although Tehran has yet to formally notify the agency of the cooperation freeze, the timeline for the inspectors’ return remains uncertain.
In a statement posted on X, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that its remaining inspectors had safely left Iran and were en route to the agency’s headquarters in Vienna, following an extended presence in Tehran during the recent military hostilities.
According to diplomatic sources, only a small number of IAEA personnel remained in Iran after the war began on June 13. Concerns about their safety have persisted, especially in light of mounting criticism directed at the agency by Iranian officials and state-run media in the aftermath of the conflict.
Iranian authorities have accused the IAEA of indirectly facilitating the airstrikes by publishing a highly critical report on May 31. That report led to a resolution from the agency’s 35-member Board of Governors, which found Iran in violation of its nuclear non-proliferation commitments.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has said he stands by the report. He has denied that it provided diplomatic cover for military action.
12 days of war
Israel said last month’s 12-day sweeping assault on Iran’s top military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment sites, and ballistic missile program was necessary to prevent the Islamic Republic from realizing its avowed plan to destroy the Jewish state.
While Iran maintains that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and denies any intent to develop nuclear weapons, its actions have raised alarm internationally. The country has enriched uranium to levels with no recognized civilian purpose, limited access for IAEA inspectors, and advanced its ballistic missile program. Israel has claimed that these developments indicate Iran is moving toward weaponization.
In response to Israeli strikes on its nuclear infrastructure, Iran launched a massive retaliatory attack involving more than 500 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,100 drones. According to Israeli health officials and hospitals, the barrage left 28 people dead and over 3,000 injured. Official figures report 36 missile impacts and one drone strike in civilian areas, damaging 2,305 housing units across 240 buildings, two universities, and a hospital—ultimately displacing more than 13,000 people.
