Iran denies inspections as IAEA exits; Trump says nuclear programme 'permanently set back'

US President Donald Trump on Friday, 4 July 2025 declared that Iran’s nuclear programme had been “set back permanently” following joint US and Israeli military strikes on its enrichment facilities, even as tensions escalate over the lack of international inspections on the ground.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to New Jersey after an Independence Day celebration at the White House, Mr. Trump said that although Tehran had not agreed to inspections or to cease uranium enrichment, he believed its programme had been critically damaged. “I would say it’s set back permanently,” he said. “I would think they’d have to start at a different location. And if they did start, it would be a problem.”

The US President reiterated that he would not allow Iran to resume its nuclear ambitions and claimed the Iranian leadership was eager to meet him. He also confirmed that Iran would be a central topic during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to the White House on Monday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Friday that it had withdrawn its last remaining inspectors from Iran amid a deteriorating standoff over access to nuclear facilities that were bombed in the recent US-Israeli military campaign.

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The 12-day conflict, which began three weeks ago, marked the first direct Israeli military strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

While Iran insists its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, both Washington and Tel Aviv maintain that Tehran was enriching uranium with the aim of building nuclear weapons. The IAEA has not had access to Iran’s nuclear sites since the strikes, despite IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi declaring that re-establishing inspections is a top priority.

Further complicating matters, Iran’s parliament has passed legislation suspending cooperation with the nuclear watchdog until safety at its facilities can be assured. Although Iran has not formally notified the IAEA of this suspension, the timeline for inspectors’ return remains uncertain.

Iran has accused the IAEA of effectively facilitating the attacks by issuing a critical report on 31 May, which led to a resolution by the agency’s 35-member Board of Governors declaring Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations.

The U.S.-Israeli airstrikes are reported to have either destroyed or severely damaged Iran’s three main uranium enrichment sites. However, uncertainty persists over the fate of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, particularly the 400 kg enriched up to 60 per cent purity—a level just short of weapons-grade material. Iran’s total declared stockpile prior to the attacks stood at around nine tonnes.