VIENNA — November 13, 2026 — The International Atomic Energy Agency is raising fresh concerns over an Iranian uranium-enrichment facility at Isfahan that the UN nuclear watchdog has been unable to inspect.
In a confidential report circulated to member states and seen by Reuters, the IAEA said it remains increasingly concerned about the Isfahan Fuel Enrichment Plant (IFEP), a facility Iran declared to the agency in June 2025.
The agency said it does not know the facility’s exact location, its current status for safeguards purposes, or whether nuclear material is currently inside.
Inspectors have been unable to access the facility
The IAEA had planned to inspect the facility shortly after Iran notified the agency of its existence in June 2025. That inspection did not take place after military strikes began in the region.
Diplomats have said they believe the facility is located within an underground tunnel network in Isfahan that was targeted during the fighting. However, the current condition and precise location of the facility have not been independently established.
The IAEA also said Iran has not provided access to the plant or its design information.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has previously said the agency believes a significant amount of Iran’s highly enriched uranium could be located within the wider tunnel complex at Isfahan.
Concerns extend beyond Isfahan
The latest report also calls on Iran to provide information about the condition of its enrichment facilities and account for its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
The lack of access has prevented the IAEA from independently verifying the location and status of some of Iran’s nuclear material.
The agency has urged Tehran to take gradual technical steps that could allow inspectors to return to nuclear facilities and restore safeguards monitoring.
The IAEA described the lack of information and access as a serious proliferation concern requiring urgent resolution.
Iran’s position
Iran has argued that security conditions and the threat of further military action have made the resumption of inspections difficult.
Tehran has also maintained that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.
The dispute leaves the international community facing a significant information gap over Iran’s nuclear activities, particularly regarding facilities affected by military strikes and material that inspectors have been unable to verify.
For the IAEA, restoring access remains a central issue as it seeks to determine the status of Iran’s nuclear program and ensure that declared nuclear material remains accounted for.
World Media Feed Editorial Team
This report is based on reporting from Reuters and additional information from the International Atomic Energy Agency as reported by international news agencies. The situation remains developing.
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