IAEA chief Grossi calls on Iran to reengage on nuclear issues as western powers seek UN referral

IAEA head Rafael Grossi says giving the UN nuclear agency access to key nuclear facilities in Iran would have “positive repercussions” for the Islamic Republic, as a draft resolution seen by AFP proposes referring Tehran to the UN Security Council.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has not had access to key nuclear facilities in Iran since Israel, joined by the United States, launched a 12-day conflict in June 2025 that included strikes on nuclear sites.

Nuclear facilities have also been hit in the latest war, which erupted on February 28, and the IAEA has repeatedly urged access.

“The best, shortest way for a positive outcome is for Iran to engage with us,” Grossi tells a press conference after opening the quarterly meeting of the IAEA board of governors.

A resolution drafted by the US, Britain, France and Germany expected to be submitted and voted on this week seeks to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for failing to comply with its nuclear reporting obligations.

The draft, seen by AFP, asks Grossi to “submit this resolution to all members of the agency and to the Security Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations.”

Asked whether such a referral was the right course of action, Grossi says that “my job with Iran continues, irrespective of the resolution.”

“If Iran engages with us in a serious dialogue, if we can start getting access… I can guarantee to you that this will have very, very positive repercussions,” he says.

In a statement ahead of the meeting, Grossi calls the lack of contact with Iran “regrettable.”

“These issues are not going to disappear until we address them, until we have the necessary access, until we can return,” he says.