Iran agreed to undergo additional verification steps with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and to clarify questions about the nature of its nuclear program. The joint statement announcing the accord came after a meeting in Tehran between IAEA director Rafael Grossi and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, signaling a renewed push toward transparency and cooperation on both sides.
The agreement follows discussions aimed at getting the nuclear issue back on a constructive path. A senior Argentine diplomat, speaking at a press conference in Vienna, described the move as a positive step toward restoring trust and keeping lines of communication open between Iran and the IAEA as well as other international partners.
Grossi explained that the IAEA would increase scrutiny while also implementing safeguards to monitor progress. He noted that residues of highly enriched uranium, reaching 84 percent purity, or traces of artificially sourced uranium had appeared at three facilities that Tehran had not publicly disclosed as part of its atomic program. He described Iran’s position as a voluntary commitment to move forward with verification measures.
The newly disclosed note indicates Iran’s willingness to cooperate further by offering access to the three facilities where the artificial uranium was detected and by sharing more information related to their operations. The IAEA intends to verify these details and assess any possible linkage to Tehran’s broader nuclear program, ensuring the purpose remains peaceful in line with international expectations.
The verification plan includes access to specific people and materials, along with the restoration of normally active remote monitoring equipment such as cameras and measuring systems that had been temporarily disconnected. In addition, the IAEA signaled a substantial increase in inspections at the Fordow plant, where traces of 84 percent enriched uranium were found, a level near what would be required for weaponizable material were it fully processed.
Iran has denied pursuing enrichment at this level and has suggested that the appearance of such particles could arise from natural processes during the production of uranium enriched to higher levels, such as 60 percent. The IAEA acknowledges these concerns but seeks to determine whether the detected isotopes reflect accidental variation, spikes, or a time-limited fluctuation and to understand how they occurred and whether there was accumulation along the way.
The Argentine diplomat underlined that this agreement is a crucial step for potentially reinstating the JCPOA, the 2015 accord in which Iran made concessions to limit its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. That agreement effectively stalled after the United States withdrew in 2018, and Iran subsequently reduced some of its commitments in the following years. The IAEA’s ongoing responsibility is to monitor Iran’s adherence to the terms of its nuclear obligations within the JCPOA framework.
The talks, described by officials as a practical path forward, offer a foundation for rebuilding the knowledge base necessary to verify compliance. The negotiators emphasized that the progress is measured in concrete actions rather than rhetoric, with both sides agreeing to address past gaps and ensure future transparency. The IAEA director stated that the current move is a solid advance toward restoring confidence in the peaceful character of Iran’s nuclear activities.
Historically, the IAEA has spent years addressing the central questions about Iran’s nuclear program, including the status of surveillance and verification arrangements. A recent IAEA report noted that Tehran’s decision to disconnect several surveillance cameras and verification devices hindered the agency’s ability to provide assurances about peaceful intent. This context makes the newly announced verification measures especially important, as they reopen avenues for independent assessment and continuous monitoring.
Going forward, the IAEA plans to expand its verification activities and to confirm Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA and related commitments. The maintenance of robust monitoring is seen as essential to preventing ambiguity about the program’s purpose and to building sustained international confidence in Iran’s nuclear activities.