If Washington's threats continue, nuclear inspections will not begin in Iran

Iran said talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on resuming nuclear inspections cannot proceed while U.S. military strike threats persist, citing new threats against its nuclear facilities as grounds for changing the conditions of the monitoring process. The IAEA warned that its lack of information on Iran's nuclear facilities and materials is a serious proliferation concern. The standoff matters because it leaves the agency without a clear picture of Iran's enrichment program at a time of heightened regional tension. Watch for whether Washington softens its rhetoric or Tehran drops its precondition, and whether the IAEA Board of Governors escalates pressure at its next meeting.