UN Nuclear Inspectors Depart Tehran As Iran Vows To Keep Enriching

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that its inspectors have departed Iran after the country halted its cooperation with the agency. The decision comes after Israel and the US carried out surprise bombing raids on Iran last month. The IAEA inspectors had been housed in a hotel in Tehran, unable to visit Iran's nuclear sites, since the attacks on June 13. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi has urged Iran to resume monitoring and verification efforts as soon as possible. The departure of the inspectors makes it unlikely that there will be significant international access to Iran's nuclear sites. Iran has promised to continue enriching uranium, despite threats from the Trump White House of potential military action. Iran's activities will still be monitored by Western and Israeli intelligence agencies, as well as through satellite imagery. Iran has stated that it will not retaliate further against the US, but will continue peaceful nuclear energy activities as a matter of national sovereignty. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister has emphasized that the country has every right to enrich uranium within its territory, as long as it does not militarize its program. The standoff raises concerns about Iran's participation in the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which bans nuclear weapons and requires regular inspections of its atomic program.