UN watchdog loses track of Iran’s nuclear material after US-Israeli 2025 strikes

The United Nations nuclear watchdog has warned that it is no longer able to carry out major monitoring duties in Iran after losing access to several nuclear facilities affected by US-Israeli military strikes in June 2025.

Citing confidential reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) news agency Associated Press revealed that inspectors have been unable to verify the status of nuclear material at multiple Iranian sites for months. The agency said the situation must be addressed with “the utmost urgency”.

NO ACCESS TO KEY NUCLEAR SITES

The IAEA said it has neither received updated information from Iran about its declared nuclear material nor gained access to most affected facilities since the June 2025 strikes.

As a result, the agency said it cannot determine the current status of those facilities or the nuclear material stored there.

“The IAEA cannot provide any information on the current size, composition or whereabouts of the stockpile of enriched uranium in Iran or whether Iran has suspended all enrichment-related activities,” the report said as quoted by AP.

The agency added that it has lost continuity of knowledge regarding previously declared nuclear material at facilities hit during the conflict. It warned that this gap in oversight is a serious issue that requires immediate attention.

Bushehr, Iran’s civilian nuclear power plant, remains the only facility visited by IAEA inspectors since the agency’s previous report in February. Inspectors visited the site between June 1 and June 3.

The reactor at Bushehr uses uranium supplied by Russia and enriched to 4.5 per cent, a level commonly used for electricity generation.

WATCHDOG RAISES PROLIFERATION CONCERNS

The IAEA stressed that its safeguards responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) cannot be suspended. The agency described Iran’s failure to provide access and information as a matter of proliferation concern. According to standard safeguards procedures, highly enriched uranium stockpiles should normally be verified every month.

However, the watchdog said it has been unable to verify Iran’s previously declared enriched uranium stocks for nearly a year.

The reports also noted that Iran has continued to avoid resolving several long-standing safeguards issues. Because of this, the agency said it still has concerns about the possible presence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in the country.

The IAEA reiterated that it is “indispensable and urgent” for Iran to fully implement its safeguards obligations and allow inspectors to resume verification activities without delay.

UNCERTAINTY OVER ENRICHED URANIUM STOCKPILE

According to the latest estimates available to the agency, Iran possessed 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity before inspections were disrupted. The figures remain unchanged from estimates recorded up to June 13, 2025.

Uranium enriched to 60 per cent is only a short technical step away from the roughly 90 per cent purity generally considered weapons grade.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi recently told AP that the stockpile could theoretically be sufficient for as many as 10 nuclear weapons if Iran chose to develop them. He stressed, however, that this does not mean Iran currently possesses a nuclear weapon.

Meanwhile, Grossi expressed support for ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a solution to disputes surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme.

The agency said it remains ready to support any future agreement, but warned that restoring access for inspectors remains critical.

– Ends

With inputs from agencies