The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is facing a deepening 'blind spot' regarding Iran's nuclear program as its ability to conduct inspections has been severely curtailed. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi indicated that Iran is not cooperating with inspections and there has been construction activity at Pickaxe Mountain, a site suspected of housing nuclear-related activities. This site, located just south of Tehran’s main uranium-enrichment plant, has also been highlighted by US President Donald Trump due to observed activity.
This lack of cooperation is part of a decade-long pattern where Iran has made it difficult for the IAEA to gain access, including disabling monitoring cameras and subjecting inspectors to "excessively invasive physical searches." The UN nuclear watchdog's Board of Governors recently passed a resolution expressing "grave concern" over Iran's "continued noncompliance" with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), referring the matter to the UN Security Council. This is the first such resolution in 20 years.
The IAEA has not had access to key nuclear facilities in Iran, such as Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, since the US and Israel conducted a 12-day war against Iran in June 2025 that included attacks on these sites. The only site inspected by the IAEA since the conflict has been the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. According to a confidential IAEA report, Iran had 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60% as of June 13. If further enriched to 90%, this amount could be enough to produce 10 nuclear weapons, although actual weapon creation would require additional expertise. The IAEA considers the inability to verify this near bomb-grade stockpile a "matter of serious concern."
