Parliament speaker states no access will be granted to bombed sites as U.S.-Iran talks continue
Category: Politics
Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, confirmed on July 2, 2026, that U.S. and Israeli strikes have caused damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities. In a statement that marks a notable shift in Iran’s public messaging, Ghalibaf insisted that no access will be granted to the bombed sites for international inspections, citing a parliamentary law that prohibits such verification.
Ghalibaf's remarks come at a time when diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are underway, aimed at limiting Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. The parliament speaker emphasized, "Under this law, absolutely no access is granted to sites that have been bombed and damaged." He also indicated that current international inspections are restricted to only two locations: the Bushehr nuclear power plant and the Tehran research reactor.
This stance complicates the already fragile negotiations, which recently took place in Doha, Qatar. On July 1, negotiators discussed maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and the unfreezing of Iranian assets, but the nuclear program itself did not feature prominently in the talks. U.S. President Donald Trump noted that progress was being made on potential limits to Iran’s nuclear program, a central issue in the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the country.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concerns over its diminished ability to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities. Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, stated that he is confident the UN nuclear watchdog will inspect Iranian nuclear sites in the foreseeable future. He noted that an interim deal signed by Iran and the United States provides for such inspections, stating, "Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it's important, but not central. This is going to happen."
In response, Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kasem Gharibabadi, clarified that these inspections would only be considered within the framework of a final agreement and after progress is made on lifting sanctions against Tehran. Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva underscored that Tehran has not yet agreed to allow IAEA inspectors to return to the country.
As of now, Iran reportedly holds around 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60%. Experts warn that this quantity could be sufficient for the construction of several nuclear weapons if enriched to 90%. Iran, for its part, maintains that its nuclear program is intended solely for civilian use.
The IAEA has faced challenges in verifying Iran's nuclear activities, having lost access to key uranium enrichment facilities following attacks on Iranian nuclear sites last year. Currently, the agency relies largely on satellite imagery for surveillance, which limits its ability to verify the extent of Iran's uranium enrichment and the operational status of its centrifuges.
The political dynamics surrounding Iran's nuclear program remain fraught with tension. Ghalibaf's confirmation of damage to Iran's nuclear facilities indicates a shift from previous claims by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who had insisted that the nuclear program remained unscathed. This acknowledgment, coupled with the firm rejection of external verification, signals Iran's determination to control the narrative around its nuclear capabilities.
As the U.S. and Iran continue their indirect negotiations, the issue of IAEA access to bombed sites hangs large. The rejection of inspections complicates the international community's efforts to hold Iran accountable for its nuclear activities. With Ghalibaf stating that Iran will offer no concessions beyond what has been authorized by the Supreme National Security Council, the path forward for negotiations appears increasingly challenging.
Experts warn that the political will to grant access to inspectors is a decisive factor in ensuring transparency in Iran’s nuclear program. Georg Steinhauser, a radiochemistry professor at the Vienna University of Technology, emphasized that comprehensive inspections are possible in principle, but political reservations hinder progress. He stated, "If this access is granted in full, then you can determine with great certainty whether a country is pursuing a civilian or a military nuclear program."
In light of these developments, the international community is watching closely as the U.S. and Iran work to finalize a new agreement by mid-August. The stakes are high, and the outcome of these negotiations will have consequences for regional stability and global nonproliferation efforts.
Meanwhile, the IAEA continues to stress that its main challenge is not a lack of technical capabilities but rather the political obstacles to gaining access to Iranian nuclear sites. The agency’s ability to monitor Iran's nuclear program effectively hinges on the willingness of Tehran to cooperate.
As negotiations progress, the potential for a renewed agreement remains uncertain. The complex interplay of diplomatic maneuvering, political will, and public perception will shape the future of Iran's nuclear program and its implications for international security. The world awaits the next round of talks, hoping for a resolution that balances Iran's rights to peaceful nuclear energy with the imperative of preventing nuclear proliferation.
In the coming weeks, the focus will be on whether the U.S. and Iran can navigate these challenges and reach a new agreement that addresses the concerns of the international community without undermining Iran's sovereign rights under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.