Rafael Grossi, the head of the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visited two key Iranian nuclear facilities on Thursday as part of an ongoing effort to address disputes over Tehran’s atomic program. The visit comes amid growing international scrutiny and ahead of a potential European diplomatic push regarding Iran’s nuclear activities before Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the U.S. presidency.
During his trip, Grossi inspected the Natanz nuclear plant and the Fordow enrichment site, a facility located deep within a mountain approximately 100 kilometers south of Tehran. Iranian state media confirmed the visits but did not provide additional details about the inspections.
The backdrop of Grossi’s visit highlights strained relations between Tehran and the IAEA, stemming from unresolved issues such as Iran’s decision to bar the agency’s uranium enrichment experts and its failure to clarify the presence of uranium traces found at undeclared sites.
In a meeting with Grossi, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed Tehran’s willingness to address the ongoing disputes but emphasized resistance to external pressure. “The ball is in the EU/E3 court,” Araqchi wrote on X, formerly Twitter, following the discussions.
The visit comes at a critical juncture for the international community’s efforts to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Tensions have escalated over Tehran’s uranium enrichment activities, which many Western powers view as a potential pathway to developing nuclear weapons. Iran has consistently denied such ambitions, asserting that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
European nations, particularly the EU/E3 group comprising France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, are expected to ramp up diplomatic efforts to address the standoff. These efforts aim to bridge gaps left by the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). That agreement unraveled after the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018, leading Iran to progressively scale back its compliance.
Grossi’s visit signals the IAEA’s continued engagement despite the challenges. However, resolving these disputes will require not only cooperation from Tehran but also concerted international efforts to rebuild trust and revive the framework of the JCPOA.
As Iran’s nuclear program remains a focal point of global concern, the outcomes of these inspections and diplomatic talks are likely to play a pivotal role in shaping future negotiations and the broader geopolitical landscape.
