Iran Blocks IAEA Access as US, France, Germany and UK Raise Alarm

VIENNA, Sept 10: The United States, France, Germany and Britain have accused Iran of continuing to block International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections of its declared nuclear facilities, warning that the lack of access is preventing the UN nuclear watchdog from verifying Iran's nuclear activities.

In a joint statement to the IAEA Board of Governors, the four countries said Iran had provided no information on the status of its declared nuclear facilities and nuclear material during the latest reporting period.

They said the IAEA had not been granted access to any declared Iranian nuclear facility since June.

The countries also said Iran had failed to provide the agency with the precise location of its fourth declared uranium enrichment facility in Isfahan and had not allowed the IAEA to review the facility's design information.

"As a result of Iran's refusal to engage," the statement said, the agency was unable to verify that there had been no diversion of nuclear material.

The US and the three European countries also expressed concern that the IAEA had lost visibility of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium for more than a year, describing the situation as a proliferation concern requiring urgent action.

The four countries said a resolution introduced by Washington and the E3 was intended to complete a procedural step required under the IAEA Statute following the Board's June 2025 finding of Iranian non-compliance.

Despite their criticism, the United States, France, Germany and Britain said they remained hopeful that Tehran would resume cooperation with the IAEA and allow the agency to carry out the necessary verification work.