IAEA Announces Departure of Inspectors from Iran

4th July 2025

2 minutes read

IAEA Announces Departure of Inspectors from Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that a team of its inspectors has safely left Iran and returned to its headquarters in Vienna after remaining in Tehran during the recent conflict.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated on the platform X:
“We emphasized the critical importance of discussing with Iran ways to resume essential monitoring and verification activities as soon as possible.”

This statement comes just days after Tehran decided to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, accusing the agency of bias in favor of Western countries and of providing justification for Israeli airstrikes.

A new law passed by the Iranian parliament as part of a two-phase emergency plan—following a ceasefire between Israel and Iran—requires the government to halt all forms of cooperation with the IAEA until the safety of Iranian nuclear facilities and scientists is guaranteed.

The main reason behind Iran’s decision was the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites on June 22. Iran viewed these attacks as a breach of trust and criticized the IAEA for failing to condemn them. The new legislation is seen as a reaction to that perceived failure.

U.S. officials claimed that their strikes completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities. However, some observers and independent researchers believe that the Fordow facility was not entirely destroyed.

Rafael Grossi also affirmed in various media interviews that the claim of Iran’s nuclear program being fully dismantled is “inaccurate.”

One potential consequence of Iran’s withdrawal from cooperation with the IAEA is that European countries may activate the “snapback” mechanism, leading to the automatic reinstatement of international sanctions.