VIENNA – The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog warned on September 8 that time is fast running out in talks with Iran on fully resuming inspections of its nuclear facilities, which have been suspended since U.S. and Israeli strikes in June.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi told the agency’s 35-member Board of Governors that while progress had been made, only “a few days” remain to finalize an agreement on the modalities for inspections. “There is still time, but not much,” he said, urging Iran to meet its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty regardless of domestic laws.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council currently controls inspection approvals, following legislation passed after the June attacks. The IAEA has been shut out of key sites since then, raising Western concerns over Tehran’s growing stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium.
The talks come as Europe’s three major powers – France, Britain and Germany – began a 30‑day process on August 28 to re-impose sanctions on Iran under a “snapback” mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal. The E3 have said sanctions will return unless Tehran restores full IAEA access, provides a full accounting of its uranium program and restarts nuclear diplomacy with Washington.
Grossi expressed optimism that resolving the inspection issue could open the way for wider diplomatic progress. “With these practical steps in place, other important consultations will find a more promising ground,” he said.
In Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the IAEA meetings as “positive” but inconclusive. “The third round of negotiations ended on September 6, and the results are under review by relevant authorities,” he said, with no date yet set for the next session.