Iran rejects claims of expanded IAEA access

Iran rejects claims of expanded IAEA access

Iran’s Parliament Speaker and senior nuclear negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has dismissed reports claiming that Tehran has granted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to nuclear facilities damaged in recent bombing attacks, calling the reports completely inaccurate.

Speaking on the issue, Ghalibaf said the claims circulating in the media do not reflect Iran’s current policy. He stressed that authorities have not allowed IAEA inspectors to enter any of the nuclear sites affected by the attacks and insisted that no decision has been made to expand the agency’s access to those locations.

Ghalibaf clarified that IAEA inspectors currently have permission to visit only two nuclear facilities: the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and the Tehran Research Reactor. He said these remain the only sites where inspectors continue their routine monitoring and verification activities under existing agreements. According to him, reports suggesting that inspectors had gained access to additional facilities are incorrect.

The Iranian official also criticized what he described as misleading reports about the country’s cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. He said such claims have created confusion and do not represent the reality on the ground. Ghalibaf reaffirmed that Iran remains committed to protecting its national security while managing its obligations under international nuclear agreements.

His remarks come amid heightened international attention on Iran’s nuclear program following recent military strikes that reportedly damaged parts of the country’s nuclear infrastructure. The developments have intensified global debate over nuclear safety, transparency, and the future of inspections carried out by the IAEA.

The latest statement from Ghalibaf signals that Tehran has no immediate plans to broaden access for international inspectors beyond the facilities already covered under existing arrangements. His comments also underscore Iran’s determination to retain control over inspections at sensitive nuclear sites while responding to growing international scrutiny of its nuclear activities.