UN Inspectors Return to Iran Amid Protests and Sanctions Threat
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, confirmed on Wednesday that UN inspectors have made a limited return to Iran for the first time since Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
The move has sparked protests in Tehran, where lawmakers accused the government of breaching a July law restricting cooperation with the IAEA. MP Mohammad Taqi Naqdali called the return «a criminal act,» warning that officials who approved it could face punishment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi defended the decision, saying inspectors would only oversee refuelling at the Bushehr nuclear site, as required under international treaties, and would not visit bombed facilities.
The limited inspections come as Europe considers triggering a «snapback» of UN sanctions when the 2015 nuclear deal provisions expire in October. The EU has demanded Iran account for its enriched uranium stockpile, allow full IAEA access, and reopen nuclear talks with the U.S.
Russia has proposed delaying sanctions for six months if Tehran shows willingness to engage diplomatically. But Grossi warned:
«If you want to prevent a repeat of what we saw in June, these inspection activities must be resumed.»
The dispute underscores Iran’s balancing act between rising nationalist pressure at home and the risk of deeper isolation abroad.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports Nvidia will release its quarterly earnings on Wednesday, with Wall Street watching closely to gauge whether the artificial intelligence surge is fuelling sustainable growth or showing signs of an overheated bubble.
