Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed on Tuesday that IAEA inspectors will visit several Iranian nuclear sites in the coming weeks. The development marks a significant step forward in the agency's verification work following months of deadlock over access to facilities where undeclared nuclear activities were suspected. The British government, which has led diplomatic efforts to shore up the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action's non-proliferation architecture, welcomed the announcement.
The Foreign Office described the inspections as a necessary precondition for restoring confidence in Iran's compliance with its safeguards obligations. The visits are expected to include the Marivan enrichment facility and the Isfahan uranium conversion plant. Analysts note that the breakthrough follows sustained pressure from London and Paris, as well as quiet diplomacy between Grossi and Tehran.
The outcome underscores the continued relevance of IAEA-led verification as a tool for managing proliferation risks, even as broader nuclear diplomacy remains fragile.
