U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iran to allow international inspectors access to its nuclear facilities, just days after coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian sites believed to be linked to its nuclear program.
Speaking at a White House press conference on Friday, Trump stated that any future diplomatic engagement with Tehran must include inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another trusted entity. “We need the IAEA or somebody that we respect — including ourselves — to verify everything,” he said.
The remarks follow heightened tensions in the region and come amid growing concern over the fallout from the recent strikes. In what many analysts view as a retaliatory move, Iran’s parliament has approved a bill suspending cooperation with the IAEA, despite its status as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The legislation is seen as a direct response to the U.S.-Israeli operation, which Tehran has condemned as a violation of international law and its sovereignty.
Iran has yet to respond directly to Trump’s demand, but officials have warned that continued pressure and military aggression will only harden Tehran’s nuclear stance and reduce the likelihood of diplomatic compromise.
