The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned that it urgently needs access to Iran’s nuclear facilities to verify the country’s nuclear material. In its latest quarterly report, the UN nuclear watchdog said it does not have enough information about Iran’s nuclear materials or access to some important facilities. The agency said this situation is becoming a serious concern because it cannot fully verify where Iran’s nuclear material is located. One of the main concerns is the Isfahan nuclear facility, which has been targeted by US and Israeli strikes. The IAEA has not yet been given full access to the sites that were damaged in military attacks. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the long-running problems surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme should be resolved through a lasting agreement that can be independently checked and verified. Iran, however, says inspections of nuclear facilities that were attacked cannot simply continue as normal. Iranian officials have said special rules and safety procedures must first be agreed upon before inspectors can enter the damaged locations. Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, said the IAEA needs to establish specific conditions and inspection procedures for facilities that have been targeted by military attacks. The dispute comes after years of tension between Iran and Western countries over its nuclear programme. Iran has repeatedly denied that it is trying to build a nuclear weapon. Tehran says its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes, including energy and other civilian uses. The IAEA has previously reported that Iran has enriched uranium to levels much higher than normally required for civilian nuclear power. However, the agency has also noted that the enrichment level was below weapons-grade uranium. Another major issue is Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium. Following military strikes on nuclear facilities, there is still uncertainty about the exact location and condition of some of the material. The United States has claimed that its military action severely damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities and weakened its nuclear programme. However, without access to the affected sites, the IAEA says it cannot independently confirm the full situation. Iran had previously suspended cooperation with the IAEA after earlier US and Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities. Tehran later indicated that inspectors could return, but access to some of the bombed facilities remains unresolved. The IAEA’s latest report is expected to be discussed by its Board of Governors during a meeting from September 21 to 25. The agency is calling for urgent diplomatic efforts to restore inspections and establish a system that allows nuclear activities and materials in Iran to be properly monitored. The issue remains important because greater transparency could help reduce fears about Iran’s nuclear programme and prevent further international tensions.