Iran Mulls Nuke Inspection Action Against Israel

Iranian authorities are weighing next steps following an agreement with the global nuclear watchdog, while urging regional states to move beyond issuing statements in response to Israel’s attack on Qatar, Maziar Motamedi reported for Al Jazeera.

Iran has insisted inspectors would have no access beyond the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. (Photo: Atomic Energy Organization of Iran) 

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to attend an emergency session of parliament’s national security commission, where hardline lawmakers are pressing for clarity on whether the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be allowed access to nuclear sites bombed by the United States and Israel in June.

He is expected to assure the hardline-dominated parliament that inspectors will not be granted entry without approval from Iran’s top leadership.

Araghchi had reached an agreement with the IAEA in Cairo aimed at resuming cooperation suspended after Tehran accused the agency and its chief, Rafael Grossi, of paving the way for the strikes.

Grossi told the IAEA Board of Governors that the technical accord covers “all facilities and installations in Iran” and requires reporting on “all the attacked facilities, including the nuclear material present.”

But in an interview with Iranian state television, Araghchi insisted inspectors would have no access beyond the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.