US President Donald Trump indicated on Friday his expectation that Iran will agree to international inspections to ensure it does not revive its nuclear program. During a White House press conference, Trump suggested that if negotiations with Iran proceed, the country would need to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another respected entity, including the US.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, remarked that new talks regarding the nuclear programme had become “complicated” following US strikes on Iranian sites, which he admitted inflicted “serious damage.” The 2015 nuclear deal, which had established limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief, fell apart when Trump withdrew the US from the agreement in his first term. Despite expressing interest in reconvening discussions, Araghchi maintained that no agreements or timelines for negotiations had been established.
In light of recent military action, Araghchi noted that the US intervention made diplomatic talks more challenging. Meanwhile, religious leaders in Iran echoed the sentiment that the recent conflict with Israel marked a victory for the nation, with statements made during Friday prayers reinforcing this view. Imams, including deputy chief justice Hamzeh Khalili, outlined plans to prosecute individuals accused of espionage for Israel with serious ramifications amidst a climate of heightened security and paranoia.
The escalation between Iran and Israel intensified when Israel launched strikes on June 13, targeting Iranian nuclear sites, military leaders, and facilities. These strikes reportedly resulted in substantial casualties and destruction, with Iran retaliating by firing over 550 ballistic missiles toward Israel.
US forces intervened with extensive military measures, claiming to have significantly disrupted Iran’s nuclear capabilities. However, Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rebuffed these assertions, suggesting the strikes yielded only marginal impact. Israeli military officials claimed their operations had considerably hampered Iran’s ability to enrich uranium.
Despite this, speculations arose that Iran may have transferred much of its enriched uranium before the strikes, as communicated to the IAEA, while the extent of damage to critical facilities like Fordo remains a priority for assessment. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi noted significant physical damage to centrifuges, drawing attention to the potential long-term effects on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In a broader context, the Iranian government has yet to decide whether to permit IAEA inspections following the strikes, opting to keep inspectors out for the time being. As tensions escalate and diplomatic avenues remain strained, the international community watches closely to see how the situation will unfold in regards to nuclear diplomacy and regional stability.