The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued its first report since late February showing little change in Iran's nuclear program despite a three-month U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting the country’s nuclear sites [1, 2, 3]. The agency called on Iran to explain the whereabouts of unaccounted stockpiles of enriched uranium, both low and highly enriched, since last June’s bombing campaign [1, 2, 3].
The IAEA has not been able to access multiple nuclear sites struck in air raids by Israel and the U.S. in June 2025. Iran has not informed the agency about the status of enriched uranium stocks, including material enriched up to 60%, close to weapons-grade levels [1, 2, 3]. The June 2025 strikes initiated a bombing campaign that caused the loss of IAEA access and led to unresolved questions over uranium inventories [1, 2, 3].
IAEA Director General stressed that “it is indispensable and urgent to implement effectively the NPT Safeguards Agreement ... and that its implementation cannot be suspended by Iran under any circumstances” [1]. This highlights the agency’s insistence that Iran must adhere fully to its nuclear non-proliferation obligations amid ongoing conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have repeatedly cited the destruction of Iran’s nuclear program as the objective of their strikes launched near the end of February 2026 [1, 3]. Trump also said the U.S. ruled out meeting Iran’s new supreme leader unless a deal is reached and reiterated “美國絕不會允許伊朗擁有核武器” (the U.S. will never allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons) [3].
Trump revealed the U.S. considered a ground military operation to remove Iran’s enriched uranium stocks but abandoned the plan due to high risks and operational challenges [3]. Despite intense air strikes, the IAEA found no significant change in Tehran’s nuclear activities since its February 27 report issued just before the new U.S.-Israeli strikes [1, 2].
The latest IAEA report was submitted on June 4, 2026, and is expected to be discussed at the agency’s quarterly Board of Governors meeting of the 35-nation group next week [1, 2].
