The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization announced Friday that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will not be permitted to inspect nuclear sites damaged in recent strikes until a special monitoring protocol is formulated, according to Iranian media reports.
The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization announced that the IAEA will not be allowed to inspect nuclear sites damaged in recent strikes until a special supervisory protocol is established. The statement, carried by Iranian media, reinforces Tehran's longstanding refusal to grant international inspectors access to facilities hit during military escalations.
The Zioneer has previously reported multiple instances of Iranian obstruction: in June, Tehran barred IAEA inspectors from visiting struck sites; in July, Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi declared that Iran's status is akin to a non-NPT state with no inspectors present; and in late June, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that UN Security Council Resolution 2231 had lost its validity. The new demand for a special protocol before any inspections suggests a further hardening of the Iranian position.
It remains unclear whether the IAEA or international intermediaries have responded to the proposed framework.
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