Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind renewed inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities by international agencies, saying such oversight is crucial following recent military action. Speaking to reporters, Trump underscored the importance of confirming whether Iran has resumed any nuclear enrichment activity warning that if inspections reveal ongoing uranium processing, he would support launching “another round of strikes, absolutely.”
Trump's remarks come in the wake of the joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes earlier this month, which targeted three major Iranian nuclear sites Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Trump claimed the bombing campaign had “wiped out” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, but emerging U.S. intelligence assessments suggest the damage may have only delayed Iran's program rather than dismantling it completely.
Trump emphasized that a proper understanding of the extent of the destruction can only be determined by neutral inspectors. He said he would welcome verification by bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another reputable organization. “We have to be sure,” he said, “because if Iran is still enriching, they’re asking for it again.”
The IAEA has echoed this demand for access, stressing that independent inspections must resume quickly to assess Iran’s nuclear activities. However, Tehran has so far refused to cooperate, and Iran’s parliament has voted to suspend IAEA access altogether. Iranian officials maintain that Western strikes were illegal and have pushed back against international scrutiny.
Doubling down on his hardline position, Trump stated he has withdrawn any consideration of sanctions relief for Iran. His announcement followed a provocative speech by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who portrayed the U.S. as having failed to crush Iran’s resolve. Trump reacted sharply, revealing that Israeli intelligence had reportedly pinpointed Khamenei’s location during the strikes, but he had personally overruled any direct attack on the Iranian leader. “He should thank me,” Trump said, “I saved him from a very ugly end.”
Despite the mounting tensions, Trump suggested Iran may be inching toward diplomatic engagement. He described the country as “exhausted” from war and under growing internal pressure. “They’ve taken a real hit,” he said, hinting that informal backchannel talks might resume in the coming week, although no official meetings have been announced.
He clarified, however, that any future talks would be contingent on transparency. “No inspections, no talks,” he said firmly. Trump’s conditions also include a halt to uranium enrichment and unrestricted access to nuclear sites demands that Tehran has so far firmly rejected.
The IAEA has warned that continued refusal by Iran to allow inspections increases the risk of further conflict. The global community remains divided, with European Union officials calling for restraint and reengagement through diplomatic channels, while regional powers like Israel and Saudi Arabia remain staunch supporters of pressure-based strategies.
According to diplomatic sources, Iran has not only restricted inspectors from entering its facilities, but it has also relocated key personnel and equipment, possibly signaling its intent to resume enrichment in secret.
With no visible de-escalation yet in sight, Trump’s latest remarks add to an already volatile situation in the Middle East. The post-strike phase of U.S.-Iran tensions is entering a delicate stage: diplomacy teeters on a knife's edge, even as military options remain firmly on the table.
If inspections are allowed, they may provide the much-needed evidence to confirm whether Iran is holding back or planning to resume its nuclear ambitions. But if Iran continues to reject international oversight, Trump’s warning of a second military strike may push the region into renewed conflict.
As Trump concluded: “We want peace, but not blind peace. Peace must be based on truth and right now, that truth needs to be seen through inspections.”