International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said any nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran must include "very robust" inspections.
The demand for stricter oversight comes as diplomatic efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions face increasing friction from broader geopolitical tensions. Without verified monitoring, the IAEA cannot guarantee that nuclear materials are not being diverted for weapons programs.
Speaking in an interview with Arirang News and in statements from Vienna, Grossi said that any agreement imposing fresh nuclear curbs on Iran should include detailed inspection arrangements by the U.N. nuclear watchdog. He said that the framework of the previous nuclear deal from 2015 [1] is no longer a workable model for a new agreement.
Grossi said diplomacy between Iran and the United States is now in a complicated phase, reflecting how nuclear negotiations are being strained by wider political and security issues. The IAEA chief said communication with Tehran is "broken" as the U.S. pushes a resolution demanding answers on Iran's enriched uranium.
These challenges emerge as the IAEA seeks more transparency regarding Iranian nuclear sites. The agency's ability to verify compliance depends on the cooperation of the host nation, and the strength of the legal mandates provided by international agreements. Grossi said the next iteration of a nuclear deal will need to look very different from its predecessor to be effective in the current security climate.
“"Any deal between Iran and the U.S. that would impose fresh nuclear curbs on Iran should include 'very robust' inspections..."”
The IAEA's insistence on 'robust' inspections signals a shift away from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) toward a more intrusive verification regime. By declaring that communication with Tehran is 'broken,' Grossi is highlighting a critical gap in diplomatic channels that could lead to increased escalation if a new, verifiable framework is not established to replace the defunct 2015 model.
