Trump Says Iran Has Not Allowed Inspections or Stopped Uranium Enrichment

Former US President Donald Trump said Iran has not agreed to let inspectors check its nuclear sites. He also said Iran has not stopped enriching uranium.

While speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump claimed Iran’s nuclear program was “permanently set back.” But he admitted Iran might restart it somewhere else. He warned that restarting the program would be a serious issue.

Trump added that Iranian officials want to meet with him. He said he would talk about Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday at the White House. They are also expected to discuss a possible ceasefire in Gaza.

IAEA Inspectors Leave Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said its inspectors have left Iran. This comes after US and Israeli airstrikes hit Iran’s nuclear facilities. The IAEA is still trying to return and resume inspections.

The US and Israel believe Iran was enriching uranium to make nuclear weapons. Iran denies this. It says its nuclear program is only for peaceful, civilian use. So far, neither US intelligence nor the IAEA chief Rafael Grossi have found proof that Iran is making a nuclear bomb.

Military Attacks on Nuclear Sites

Three weeks ago, Israel began airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites during a 12-day war. The US joined the attacks, supporting its ally. The strikes happened on June 22.

Since then, the IAEA has not been able to inspect the sites. Grossi said bringing back inspectors is his top priority. He stressed the importance of talking with Iran to restart monitoring.

Iran No Longer Trusts the IAEA

After the attacks, Iran said it no longer trusts the IAEA. Iran is still part of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), but its trust in the agency is fading.

Iran was angry because the IAEA did not condemn the US and Israeli attacks. To make things worse, the agency passed a resolution on June 12 accusing Iran of not following nuclear rules—just a day before Israel’s attacks began.

On Wednesday, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered a break in ties with the IAEA. The Iranian parliament had already approved a bill to stop cooperation. The country’s Guardian Council also supported it.

Iran’s Conditions for Resuming Cooperation

A spokesperson for the Guardian Council said the decision was made to protect Iran’s national sovereignty. According to Iranian state TV, the bill says cooperation will not resume until Iran’s nuclear sites and scientists are safe.

So far, Iran has not officially told the IAEA it is ending cooperation. But it’s unclear when inspectors can return.

On Monday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected IAEA chief Grossi’s request to visit the bombed sites. Araghchi called the request “meaningless” and even “possibly harmful.”

What Happens to the Uranium?

The US says its strikes destroyed or badly damaged Iran’s three uranium enrichment sites. But it’s unclear what happened to Iran’s enriched uranium.

Before the attacks, Iran had about nine tones of enriched uranium. This included over 400 kilograms enriched up to 60% purity. While that is close to weapons-grade (90%), it’s still not enough to build a nuclear weapon.