Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), announced on Monday that resuming the agency's access to key sites in Iran could bring 'very, very positive consequences' to Tehran.
These statements came amid preparations by the US, UK, France, and Germany to find a solution that would bring Iran before the UN Security Council.
The IAEA has been unable to access several important Iranian nuclear facilities since June 2025, following a 12-day conflict initiated by Israel and subsequently the US, which included strikes on nuclear sites. The facilities were also affected in the latest war that began on February 28, prompting the agency to repeatedly call for the resumption of access.
Rafael Grossi told reporters after the opening of the quarterly meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors that 'the best and shortest path to a positive outcome is interaction with us from Iran.'
Grossi emphasized that his cooperation with Iran would continue regardless of the voting outcome, adding that serious dialogue and the restoration of access to nuclear facilities would lead to significant positive results.
Prior to the strikes in June 2025, the IAEA estimated that Iran possessed about 440 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity. This figure significantly exceeded the 3.67% limit set in the now-cancelled 2015 nuclear agreement and approached levels typically associated with military-grade enrichment. The fate of this stockpile remained uncertain after the strikes.
In a statement before Monday's meeting, Grossi called the lack of contact with Iran 'regrettable,' noting that open issues will not disappear until the agency can restore the necessary access to assess Iran's nuclear activities.