International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said verification of Iran's nuclear program cannot happen without inspectors physically present on the ground.
This requirement is critical because the agency must assess the current status of nuclear activities, many of which have reportedly been halted, following recent strikes in the region.
Grossi said this on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 [1]. He said that the agency is unable to perform its mandatory duties without a physical presence at the sites. The Director General said that the agency cannot perform its tasks without inspectors on the ground.
According to Grossi, current discussions are focused on the specific details of how inspectors will enter Iran, and the mechanisms that will govern their work. These negotiations aim to establish the legal and operational framework required for the teams to access sensitive facilities.
On-site inspections are viewed as the primary condition for verifying the status of the nuclear program. The process is intended to provide a transparent account of Iran's compliance with international standards, and to determine the extent of the impact of recent military actions on its nuclear infrastructure.
Grossi said that the ongoing talks are addressing the details of inspector access and their operational mechanisms. The agency maintains that remote monitoring or reported data are insufficient to provide the level of certainty required for global security.
“The agency cannot perform its tasks without inspectors on the ground.”
The insistence on physical access highlights a gap between reported nuclear halts and verifiable evidence. Because the IAEA cannot rely on satellite imagery or third-party reports to confirm the cessation of nuclear activities, the resolution of these access negotiations will determine whether the international community can formally certify Iran's nuclear status following recent regional instability.
