IAEA Nuclear Inspector Team Returns to Iran In First Since Israel War

An initial team of inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has returned to Iran and is preparing to begin its work, after inspectors were formally kicked out of the country by Tehran earlier this summer, in connection with the 12-day war and surprise attack by Israel.

“We have been discussing with them now,” said Director General Rafael Grossi on Tuesday in reference to the Iranians. “The first team of IAEA inspectors is back in Iran, and we are about to restart inspections,” he told Fox News.

Grossi indicated that talks with the Islamic Republic are currently focused on “practical modalities” to resume monitoring work at multiple facilities. Reports indicate that some of the facilities are the very ones struck during Israeli and US operations in June.

President Trump has touted that these three sites – the Fordo Uranium Enrichment Plant, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, and Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center – were completely destroyed. 

But now the IAEA inspectors might be able to assess the situation more accurately from on the ground, which will be a first for any outside observer. 

In Europe, Tuesday saw discussions between Iran and the E3 nations – France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – at a moment the E3 countries have warned they may trigger the mechanism for reimposing international sanctions on Iran if it fails to either reach a new nuclear agreement by the end of August or agrees to extend UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which covers the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Axios’ Barak Ravid reports, “The leaders of France, Germany, and Britain are very close to deciding to activate the snapback mechanism to reimpose UN Security Council sanctions on Iran. It will take a diplomatic miracle to prevent this from happening.”

The Europeans are also pressing Iran to rejoin nuclear talks with Washington; however, the Iranians have made clear that the US can no longer be trusted – as it bombed the Islamic Republic in June at the very moment the sides were engaged in talks.

As we reported earlier, Grossi has meanwhile been given a comprehensive security detail by a specialized Austrian police unit, amid personal threats reportedly linked to Iran. He has had 24/7 protection for weeks at this point.