UN watchdog raises concern over uninspected Iranian nuclear site
The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says it is increasingly concerned about an Iranian uranium-enrichment facility in Isfahan that it has never been allowed to inspect. Iran notified the agency about plans for the Isfahan Fuel Enrichment Plant on 12 June 2025, one day before Israel began attacking Iranian nuclear sites. The United States joined the strikes later that month. Although Iran initially agreed to an inspection, the visit was cancelled after the attacks began.
The IAEA says it still does not know the facility’s exact location or whether it contains nuclear material. Iran has also restricted inspectors’ access to other nuclear sites since the conflict, leaving the agency unable to verify the country’s enriched-uranium stockpile. Before the June strikes, Iran was estimated to possess 441kg enriched to 60% purity, far above the 300kg stockpile and 3.67% enrichment limits set by the 2015 nuclear deal, and close to weapons-grade material.
The Isfahan nuclear complex sustained extensive damage, especially to structures above ground, while the condition of underground facilities remains unclear. The IAEA believes much of Iran’s highly enriched uranium was stored there and says the lack of access and information presents a serious proliferation concern requiring urgent action. Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful and denies seeking nuclear weapons; Israel and the US say their attacks were intended to prevent their development.
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