WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said on July 4 that Iran has not agreed to inspections of its nuclear programme nor committed to halting uranium enrichment, but he believes the programme has been “set back permanently.”
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to New Jersey after an Independence Day celebration, Mr Trump said Iran may attempt to restart its nuclear activities elsewhere, but warned such a move would be “a problem.”
“I would say it’s set back permanently,” Mr Trump said. “I would think they’d have to start at a different location. And if they did start, it would be a problem.” He also indicated that Tehran is seeking to resume dialogue with the United States and confirmed plans to discuss Iran’s nuclear activities with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his upcoming visit to the White House on July 7.
Meanwhile, the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced it had withdrawn its last inspectors from Iran amid escalating tensions following recent US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The agency’s Director General Rafael Grossi has prioritised the return of inspectors but acknowledged ongoing challenges.
Iran’s Parliament recently passed a law suspending cooperation with the IAEA until it can guarantee the safety of the country’s nuclear infrastructure. Although Iran has not formally notified the agency of the suspension, the timeline for the inspectors’ return remains uncertain.
Tehran accused the IAEA of enabling the bombings through its critical May 31 report, which led the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors to declare Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations. The subsequent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran resulted in the destruction or severe damage of three major Iranian uranium enrichment facilities.
US and Israeli officials claim Iran was enriching uranium with the intent to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran denies, asserting its programme is for peaceful energy purposes. Uncertainty also surrounds the fate of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, particularly more than 400kg enriched to 60 per cent purity just a short technical step from weapons-grade level.