IAEA Chief Says Iran's Enriched Uranium Likely Remains at Nuclear Sites

VIENNA, Jul 3: The head of the UN nuclear watchdog said Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is likely still located at its nuclear facilities, although inspectors must return to verify its status following recent Israeli and US strikes.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said the agency's assessment indicates that the nuclear material remains at the sites despite extensive damage to the facilities.

"The overall impression is that the material is still there," Grossi told Russia's RIA Novosti news agency, adding that inspectors need to regain access to conduct on-site inspections and confirm that the material remains accounted for.

Grossi said the IAEA had not observed any significant movement of the enriched uranium before it lost access to the facilities. He noted that the agency's assessment is based on inspections conducted before the conflict and analysis of satellite imagery, while acknowledging that heavy damage and blocked access have prevented independent verification since the strikes.

The IAEA has repeatedly called for inspectors to be allowed back into Iran's nuclear sites to assess the condition of the facilities and verify the status of nuclear material.