IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi signed the Cairo Agreement with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on September 9, 2025, to address security concerns and restore nuclear verifications.

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U.S. President Donald Trump cited preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons as a primary reason for launching war against Iran on February 28, 2026.

U.S. President Donald Trump argued that higher fuel prices resulting from the Iran war were necessary to prevent Tehran from securing nuclear weapons.

The IAEA reported that Iran holds 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a technical step away from 90% weapons-grade levels.

At an October 27, 2026 UN Security Council meeting, Iranian UN deputy ambassador Gholamhossein Darzi accused the U.S. of war crimes while U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz demanded Iran explain its safeguard failures.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated on October 27, 2026, that the agency identified no activity to repair or reconstruct Iranian nuclear facilities damaged in U.S. and Israeli military strikes in 2025 and 2026.

Under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran is legally bound to declare all nuclear material and permit IAEA inspectors to verify it is not diverted from peaceful uses.

Iranian nuclear sites damaged by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes include the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, Natanz enrichment plants, Esfahan complex facilities, and the Khondab heavy water research reactor.

IAEA inspectors have been unable to verify the status of nuclear material in Iran since being withdrawn for safety after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes began in June 2025.

U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that military strikes carried out by the United States on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025 obliterated Iran's atomic program.

Bahrain, Denmark, Latvia, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States requested an October 27, 2026 UN Security Council meeting after the IAEA referred Iran for nonproliferation non-compliance.

Iran declared the Isfahan Fuel Enrichment Plant to the IAEA before June 2025 airstrikes, but has since rejected repeated requests for inspector access.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi informed the UN Security Council on October 27, 2026, that 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium remain unaccounted for due to lack of inspector access.

Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, and Egypt conducted regional mediation efforts to re-engage Iran and establish acceptable IAEA verification arrangements.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council on October 27, 2026, that Iran cannot unilaterally suspend its legal nonproliferation obligations under any circumstances.

IAEA inspectors continue verification work at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant as Iran cooperates on safeguards equipment ahead of transferring spent fuel to a dry-storage facility.

An insider quoted by the Financial Times estimated that support among Iranian decision-makers for acquiring a nuclear bomb has surged from almost zero to over 50%.

Iranian officials and a growing political faction are demanding Tehran weaponize its nuclear enrichment program and withdraw from the NPT to establish a complete deterrent against future U.S.-Israeli attacks.

Hassan Ghashghavi, a spokesperson for Iran's parliament National Security Committee, stated that Iran's new Supreme Leader could issue a new ruling regarding nuclear weapons.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov offered to transfer Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium to Russia to assist in preventing a larger conflict.

Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi is subject to United States, European Union, and United Nations sanctions over his involvement in Iran's defense, nuclear, and ballistic missile programs