Trump Says Iran ‘Wrong,’ UN Nuclear Watchdog to Inspect Sites
President Trump rejected Iran's claims that UN nuclear inspectors will be barred from enrichment sites, with IAEA Director Grossi confirming inspections will proceed despite Tehran's denials.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the president dismissed Iranian denials and confirmed that nuclear inspectors will access Iranian facilities at the appropriate time, according to New York Post. Trump emphasized that Tehran had committed to full inspections as part of the negotiated framework.
The director of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, confirmed in an interview Tuesday with Tokyo-based outlet NHK that his agency will indeed inspect Iran’s enrichment facilities despite contradictory statements from Iranian officials. Grossi indicated the inspections are part of the negotiated truce between Washington and Tehran.
Iran Denies Agreement Terms
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei had earlier claimed that IAEA inspectors would not be permitted to visit the sites. The denial stands in direct contradiction to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian last Wednesday.
The memorandum explicitly requires that Iran will not procure or develop nuclear weapons and must dilute its highly enriched uranium under IAEA supervision, as New York Post reports.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Iranian denial directly, suggesting Tehran’s contradictory statements likely stem from internal political considerations. Rubio made clear that the United States knows precisely what Iran agreed to, and the regime will either comply or face consequences.
Military Action Alternative Remains On Table
Trump has made clear that the United States will resume military strikes if Iran fails to honor its commitments. The agreement first calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to oil exports in exchange for removal of a US-imposed naval blockade and waiving sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
A US official stated that the Iranians have agreed to robust IAEA inspections of what remains of their nuclear weapons program following Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury, which obliterated key facilities.
Trump himself posted on Truth Social that Iran has agreed to the highest level of nuclear inspections extending indefinitely into the future. The president later told reporters he would immediately cancel negotiations if Iranian claims about rejecting inspections were accurate.
Underground Facilities Complicate Verification
Three Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan had their uranium stockpiles destroyed by US bombings during Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, halting IAEA inspections. The United States also struck Isfahan on March 30 this year as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Asher Katz, cofounder of Austin-based defense company Traysar, told New York Post that Iran’s underground structures housing nuclear material represent not merely a tactic but the regime’s core strategy. With miles of underground systems, Iran has been able to prevent complete destruction of its facilities by keeping enrichment operations deep underground.
The IAEA’s Board of Governors adopted a resolution three months ago demanding Iran reveal where its enriched uranium is concealed and permit inspectors into the country to analyze it. Grossi noted his agency has yet to receive confirmation from Iranian officials regarding material locations but is conducting independent talks with regime representatives.
With information from New York Post
