TOKYO — Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), called for immediate and full access to Iran's nuclear facilities during a news conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on June 26, 2026. Grossi stated, "In order to have certainty, we need to have a very strong system of verification as soon as practicable." He emphasized that ensuring Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons is the main objective of the preliminary ceasefire agreement signed earlier in June 2026 between the United States and Iran.

Grossi stated, "The government of Iran has affirmed quite clearly that [developing nuclear weapons] is not their intention, but of course intentions are not enough." He added that the IAEA's role is not to judge intentions and that the agency cannot accept assertions at face value, declaring, "We must verify everywhere."

During Wednesday's remarks, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that access to attacked nuclear sites and materials would be addressed "within the framework of a final agreement" with the U.S. He also said that United Nations inspections depend on the U.S. taking "practical action in terminating all sanctions." The U.S. maintains that UN inspections are not contingent upon the termination of all sanctions.

President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had agreed to "highest level nuclear inspections." Grossi confirmed that the memorandum of understanding indicated that the nuclear aspects of the agreement would "be supervised by the IAEA." Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Friday rejecting accusations regarding its nuclear program, stating that the accusations are fabricated by the U.S. and Israel. The Ministry urged Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states to cooperate with Tehran on establishing a nuclear-weapons-free zone in West Asia. This occurred one day after the U.S. secretary of state and GCC foreign ministers issued a joint statement on Thursday, stating a shared objective of preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Iran has not granted access to the nuclear sites that were bombed by the U.S. and Israel in a 12-day war in June 2025. Following these attacks, Tehran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, though Iran later agreed to allow IAEA inspectors to return in September 2025. IAEA officials have visited nuclear sites in Iran since September 2025, but Iran's stores of enriched uranium remain unaccounted for.