Iran has officially restricted access to its nuclear facilities for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), under a new law that requires future inspections to be approved by its Supreme National Security Council. The move follows growing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and recent military strikes targeting key sites.
According to Iranian state media, the law—recently passed by parliament—was enacted by President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday. It suspends ongoing cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, a decision Tehran justifies by accusing the agency of aligning with Western nations and indirectly supporting Israeli military actions.
This development comes after the IAEA board declared Iran in violation of its commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), prompting Iranian threats to curtail cooperation. In response, the IAEA acknowledged awareness of the new restrictions but said it was awaiting formal communication from Tehran.
Meanwhile, significant damage to Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility has been confirmed by Iranian officials following U.S. airstrikes. Iran’s foreign minister disclosed in a televised interview that the facility suffered “serious and heavy damage,” though a full assessment is still underway by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.
These strikes—part of a broader U.S. operation targeting Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—were carried out using B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and advanced 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. U.S. officials have described the attack as a major success, claiming it delivered a substantial blow to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Former President Donald Trump stated that the operation “completely obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities, although intelligence agencies have yet to finalize a full assessment. Some reports suggest that prior to the attack, Iran may have relocated a portion of its highly enriched uranium stockpile from Fordow to undisclosed locations, possibly minimizing the overall damage.
Satellite imagery taken before the strike showed unusual vehicle activity at the Fordow site, supporting speculation that nuclear materials may have been moved in anticipation of the bombing. While U.S. intelligence has not confirmed these claims, security experts caution that critical components of Iran’s nuclear program may now be concealed beyond the reach of international inspectors.
Iran has condemned the strikes as a violation of international law and accused both the U.S. and Israel of orchestrating an undeclared war. It maintains that its nuclear activities are strictly for civilian energy purposes, as outlined under the UN Charter and Resolution 2231.
As tensions remain high and inspection restrictions take hold, concerns continue to mount over the future of Iran’s nuclear program and the broader stability of the region.
