A British-led inspection team from the International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to arrive in Tehran within 48 hours to verify undeclared nuclear sites, diplomatic sources confirmed on Tuesday. The mission comes as Iran continues to stall on key conditions of a proposed framework to de-escalate regional hostilities.
The IAEA team, composed of experts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany, will inspect two locations where traces of enriched uranium were detected by agency monitors earlier this year. Iran has denied any military dimension to its nuclear programme but has refused to grant access for months, citing security concerns.
The development follows a closed-door session of the UN Security Council on Monday, during which Britain’s ambassador called for “immediate and unhindered access” for inspectors. The United States has separately warned of fresh sanctions if Iran fails to comply within two weeks.
A senior Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tehran viewed the inspection as a precondition for broader talks on a “comprehensive war avoidance deal”. However, Western diplomats accuse Iran of using procedural delays to advance its enrichment capacity. “Every week of stalling is another week of centrifuges spinning,” one European negotiator said.
The inspection is the first test of a fragile diplomatic channel opened after months of shadow warfare between Israel and Iran. The proposed framework, brokered by Oman and Qatar, includes a ceasefire in Syria and Iraq, a halt to ballistic missile tests, and a freeze on enrichment above 60 per cent. Iran has accepted the offer in principle but has yet to agree on verification mechanisms.
Analysts say the outcome of the IAEA mission could determine whether the region slides into a wider conflict. The British Foreign Office declined to comment on operational details, but a spokesperson reiterated that “Iran must comply with its legally binding obligations” under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
For Britain, the inspection represents a rare opportunity to reassert its diplomatic weight after Brexit. The mission is being led by Dr. Mark Thompson, a former chief inspector with the UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment. His team will be escorted by Iranian security personnel and will have 72 hours to complete their work.
If Iran denies access or hampers the inspection, Western capitals are expected to refer the matter back to the Security Council. A French foreign ministry official said Paris was prepared to support “proportionate consequences” for non-compliance.
The standoff underscores the growing tension between Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and the international community’s red lines. As one London-based analyst put it: “This is not about trust. It is about accountability.”
