U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran has not agreed to inspections of its nuclear program, nor has it agreed to halt uranium enrichment. Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One on the way to New Jersey after Independence Day celebrations at the White House on Friday (July 4), Trump said he believes Iran’s nuclear program has been permanently damaged, though Iran could restart it elsewhere. This report was published by British news agency Reuters.
Trump told reporters, “I’d say it’s permanently set back. I think they’ll have to start it somewhere else. And if they do, it will be a big problem.”
He further stated that Tehran would not be allowed to restart its nuclear program and that Iran wants to negotiate with him.
The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Friday that it has withdrawn its last inspection team from Iran due to rising tensions over inspections at Iranian nuclear sites damaged by U.S. and Israeli bombings.
The United States and Israel claim Iran is enriching uranium with the goal of making nuclear weapons. However, Tehran insists its nuclear program is purely for peaceful purposes.
Three weeks ago, during a 12-day war with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel carried out military strikes for the first time on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Since then, IAEA inspectors have been unable to enter any Iranian installations. Though the agency’s Director General Rafael Grossi has said resuming inspections is his top priority.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament passed a law stating that cooperation with the IAEA will remain suspended until the security of its nuclear facilities is ensured. However, the IAEA said Iran has not formally notified them of any suspension. It remains uncertain when inspectors will be able to return to Iran.
Iran has accused the IAEA of effectively paving the way for bombings against it through a harsh report published on May 31 and the resulting resolution by the agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors, which declared Iran in violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
U.S. and Israeli military attacks have destroyed or severely damaged three of Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities. However, it is unclear what has happened to Iran’s total stockpile of 9 tons of enriched uranium, enriched up to 60% — just one step below weapons-grade level.
