Iran allowed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to resume work at its Bushehr nuclear power plant, marking the first such access since Tehran suspended cooperation with the agency in July. This development follows deadly US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025, which prompted Iran to halt IAEA engagement.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that inspectors are now at Bushehr, overseeing the replacement of fuel at the nuclear power plant. However, access to this facility is limited and requires approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as mandated by a law passed following the June attacks. Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, clarified that inspections are restricted to Bushehr, with no mention of access to other sites, such as Fordo, Isfahan, or Natanz, which were targeted in the strikes.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, “No final text has been approved on the new cooperation framework with the IAEA, and views are being exchanged.” This suggests ongoing negotiations to define the scope of future IAEA engagement.
"IAEA inspectors in Iran will have access only to the changing of fuel rods at the Bushehr plant and will not observe any other activities," @KhosroIsfahani
joins i24NEWS' broadcast pic.twitter.com/Tn7xDrDcrl
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) August 27, 2025Context of Suspended Cooperation
Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA in July 2025, citing the agency’s failure to condemn Israeli and US strikes on June 13, which killed over 1,000 people and damaged nuclear and military facilities. The US later targeted Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile and drone attacks on Israel, resulting in dozens of deaths. A ceasefire has been in place since June 24.
Grossi, speaking in Washington, stressed that inspections cannot be limited to “non-attacked facilities.” He noted ongoing discussions to access all sites, including those impacted, stating, “There is no such thing as à la carte inspection work.”
On August 26, 2025, Iranian diplomats met with counterparts from Britain, France, and Germany in Geneva to discuss nuclear cooperation and the looming October 18 deadline for the “snapback” mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA). This mechanism could reinstate UN sanctions if Iran is deemed non-compliant. The European powers had previously proposed extending the deadline in July if Iran resumed IAEA cooperation and US negotiations, but Tehran rejected their authority to do so, preferring to coordinate with its allies, China and Russia.
⚡️⭕️ Tehran MP Ghazanfari criticized today’s decision allowing IAEA inspectors access to the Bushehr nuclear facility and Tehran research site, calling it a direct breach of the law obligating the government to suspend cooperation with the agency.
Iran.
27th of August, 2025. pic.twitter.com/Wryb2BhlXt
— Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) August 27, 2025Russia circulated a draft UN Security Council resolution on August 26 to extend the snapback deadline by six months, aiming to “give more breathing space for diplomacy.” Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy described it as a “litmus test” for diplomatic commitment, warning that triggering snapback could halt IAEA interactions entirely, per Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Karim Gharibabadi.
The limited return of IAEA inspectors to Bushehr reflects Iran’s cautious approach amid heightened tensions. The country’s nuclear program, which it claims is for peaceful purposes, remains under scrutiny following the 2015 JCPOA’s collapse and recent military escalations. The new cooperation framework, still under negotiation, could shape Iran’s relations with the IAEA and global powers.
