Iran Warns IAEA against Adopting Resolution to Allow Access to Disputed Sites

Iran warns the IAEA against endorsing a draft resolution to push Tehran to allow access for inspectors to two disputed sites over unannounced nuclear activities. (Reuters)
Iran warns the IAEA against endorsing a draft resolution to push Tehran to allow access for inspectors to two disputed sites over unannounced nuclear activities. (Reuters)
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Iran Warns IAEA against Adopting Resolution to Allow Access to Disputed Sites

Iran warns the IAEA against endorsing a draft resolution to push Tehran to allow access for inspectors to two disputed sites over unannounced nuclear activities. (Reuters)
Iran warns the IAEA against endorsing a draft resolution to push Tehran to allow access for inspectors to two disputed sites over unannounced nuclear activities. (Reuters)

Iran has warned the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) against endorsing a draft resolution to push Tehran to allow access for inspectors to two disputed sites over unannounced nuclear activities.

“I note with serious concern that, for over four months, Iran has denied us access to two locations and that, for almost a year, it has not engaged in substantive discussions to clarify our questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities,” said Rafael Mariano Grossi, director-general of the IAEA.

“I call on Iran to cooperate immediately and fully with the Agency, including by providing prompt access to the locations specified by us,” said Grossi.

Iran's Ambassador to the UN in Vienna Kazem Gharib Abadi stated that "Introduction of this resolution aiming to call on Iran to cooperate with the Agency ... is disappointing and absolutely counterproductive."

Abadi warned that if the resolution was adopted "Iran would have no choice but to take appropriate measures, the consequences of which would be upon the sponsors of such political and destructive approaches." He did not specify what these measures would be.

Abadi argued that the IAEA's access requests were based on allegations from Iran's arch-enemy Israel. Additional information provided by the IAEA in support of its requests "were merely some commercial satellite imageries that contained no convincing underlying reason" to provide access, he added.

Iran has accused the European parties to the deal—France, the UK and Germany—of not doing enough to mitigate the impact of American sanctions. In his statement, Abadi hinted that pressing ahead with the resolution could cause "complication and difficulties" for the future of the 2015 accord.

“The Europeans couldn’t sit back and not do anything,” Reuters quoted a Western diplomat as saying.



Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Has Secured Three Patriot Systems, Looking to Finance Seven More

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the parliament session in Kyiv, Ukraine Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP) 
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the parliament session in Kyiv, Ukraine Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP) 
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Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Has Secured Three Patriot Systems, Looking to Finance Seven More

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the parliament session in Kyiv, Ukraine Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP) 
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the parliament session in Kyiv, Ukraine Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP) 

Ukraine has received confirmation from partners that they will provide three Patriot missile defense systems and discussions are underway to obtain seven more, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday.

"I have officially received confirmation from Germany for two systems, and from Norway for one. We are currently working with Dutch partners," he told reporters.

President Donald Trump announced earlier this month that billions of dollars of US weapons would go to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles. This set off negotiations around which partners could contribute to the weapons purchasing scheme -- a process that will determine the support Ukraine receives, Reuters said.

The Patriot systems have proven effective at destroying Russian ballistic missiles aimed at Ukraine's cities.

In addition to securing air defense supplies, Ukraine needs to cover a financing gap of $40 billion next year, Zelenskiy said in remarks released by his office.

An additional $25 billion will be needed for missiles, drones and electronic warfare systems production, he added.