Tehran (TDI): Iran’s Foreign Minister has called for a new, formal framework to allow inspections of its nuclear sites that were struck during a recent “12-day war” with Israel, citing serious safety and security concerns.
In a statement posted on his Telegram channel, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the damaged facilities cannot simply be opened up to international inspectors under the old rules.
He pointed to risks such as unexploded ordnance, missiles, and even radiation and warned that unauthorized inspections could jeopardize security.
He also expressed concern over threats that Iran has received from the US that anyone attempting to investigate the bombed facilities could be targeted, raising the risks of opening the doors without safeguards.
In mid-June, Israel launched a bombing campaign against several of Iran’s nuclear facilities, a move followed by US participation, which left many sites heavily damaged.
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In September, Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reached a cooperation deal in Cairo that was meant to create a roadmap for inspections.
But Araghchi has since rejected that agreement, calling it void, especially after Western nations triggered the re-imposition of UN sanctions following a breakdown of the 2015 nuclear deal.
On Thursday, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution calling on Tehran to provide “full and prompt” cooperation, including access to its sensitive nuclear sites.
In response, Iran sent an official letter reaffirming that the Cairo Agreement is “null and void.” Araghchi accused the US and the E3 of seeking escalation, asserting that the agreement’s termination is a direct result of their provocations.
He added that the 12-day conflict in June also disrupted high-level nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington, particularly over Iran’s right to enrich uranium, which Tehran maintains is “inalienable.”
Minahil Khurshid
Minahil Khurshid holds a Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies from NUST. She is passionate about current affairs, public policy, and geopolitics.
