March 18, (THEWILL) — Iran has constructed a new uranium enrichment facility within an underground complex in Isfahan, raising fresh international concerns, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has revealed.
The Director-General of the agency, Rafael Grossi, said inspectors have yet to access the site, leaving uncertainty over whether it is operational or merely an “empty hall”.
Speaking in Washington during meetings with officials of the Trump administration, Grossi noted that there are still “many questions” surrounding the level of development at the underground facility.
The Isfahan site, if confirmed active, would become Iran’s fourth known uranium enrichment plant, in addition to existing facilities at Natanz and Fordow. The IAEA estimates that Iran currently holds about 440 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity — material that could potentially be further refined to 90 percent, the level considered weapons-grade.
Experts say such a stockpile could theoretically produce enough fissile material for about 10 nuclear weapons if enrichment is completed, though the timeframe for such a development remains unclear.
Grossi disclosed that a scheduled inspection of the Isfahan facility had to be cancelled, preventing verification of whether centrifuges have been installed. “There are many questions that we will only elucidate when we are able to go back”, he said.
Iran’s nuclear activities remain at the centre of escalating tensions involving the United States and Israel, both of which have repeatedly accused Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons capability — an allegation Iranian authorities deny, maintaining that their programme is strictly for peaceful purposes.
US President, Donald Trump, has claimed that previous military strikes significantly damaged Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, but the IAEA says available evidence does not conclusively support that assertion.
The agency also confirmed recent incidents around Iran’s nuclear facilities. Entrances to the Natanz enrichment plant were struck earlier this month, while a projectile landed near the Bushehr nuclear power plant without causing damage or casualties, according to Iranian officials.
Grossi stressed the urgency of renewed diplomatic engagement, warning that ongoing hostilities are hindering verification efforts. He called for efforts to “establish, or re-establish a framework for negotiation”, noting that even after the conflict subsides, inspectors will face unresolved issues requiring urgent attention.
While the IAEA believes Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium may still be located where it was prior to earlier strikes, Grossi cautioned that this cannot be independently verified without full access.
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