IAEA Says Iran Restrictions Block Nuclear Program Verification

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it lacks the capacity to verify whether Iran has halted uranium enrichment or reprocessing activities, citing recent military strikes as creating unprecedented challenges for monitoring the country's nuclear program. The agency noted that Iran is the only non-weaponized nuclear state to stockpile uranium enriched up to 60 percent. Iranian authorities permit IAEA inspectors access only to the Bushehr nuclear power plant, barring entry to all other nuclear facilities. The IAEA stated that unresolved issues concerning undeclared nuclear sites and materials continue to limit full verification of Iran's nuclear activities. U.S. President Trump said Wednesday that negotiations with Iran were progressing "extremely well" and expressed belief that an agreement could be reached by the weekend. No further details were immediately available.