The secretary-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, said on Wednesday that his “number one priority” is for IAEA inspectors to return to Iran’s nuclear sites.

Mr Rafael said in Vienna that the return would enable IAEA inspectors to evaluate the damage caused by recent bombing and to verify stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.

Israel began launching air and missile strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites nearly two weeks ago.

The U.S. later carried out surprise bombing raids on three Iranian uranium enrichment facilities this past weekend.

However, the extent of damage to Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile remains unclear.

Following the initial attacks, Iran informed the IAEA that it would take “special measures” to protect its nuclear materials and equipment.

Mr Grossi said he had received a letter from the Iranian foreign minister, which said protective measures had been taken.

“They did not get into details into what that meant, but clearly, that was the implicit meaning of that. So, we can imagine that this material is there,” Mr Grossi said.

To confirm this and to evaluate the situation, the UN nuclear energy watchdog chief said, “We need to return.”

On Wednesday, Iran’s parliament approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, according to media reports, which has to be approved by the executive branch of the government.

Mr Grossi said he wrote to Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday requesting that they meet “to analyse the modalities” for inspections to continue.

He stressed that the international community “cannot afford” for the inspection regime to be interrupted. He also expressed disapproval about Iran’s plans to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty, a key international accord aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.

The IAEA chief said the move would be “very regrettable“.

“I hope this is not the case. I don’t think this would help anybody, starting with Iran. This would lead to isolation, all sorts of problems,” Mr Grossi said.

A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday night, is holding.

(NAN)