The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has indicated that inspectors are expected to regain access to Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities in the near future, marking a potentially significant step in efforts to restore nuclear oversight following recent regional hostilities.

Speaking during a visit to Japan, Grossi said the resumption of inspections was a matter of timing rather than principle, suggesting that access could be restored within days or weeks. The move would allow the agency to resume verification activities that were disrupted during the latest conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

The announcement comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of cooperation between Tehran and the IAEA. Iranian officials have stated that inspectors will not be allowed to enter nuclear facilities damaged during recent military strikes, citing security and sovereignty concerns.

Meanwhile, Washington has maintained that recent understandings with Tehran include robust inspection mechanisms. U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly asserted that Iran agreed to comprehensive nuclear inspections, describing them as a central component of efforts to prevent further escalation.

The return of IAEA inspectors is widely seen as a critical test of whether diplomatic channels can be preserved after the conflict, while also providing the international community with a clearer assessment of the condition and status of Iran’s nuclear program.