Earlier this year, the U.S. and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities, expressing concerns that Iran was nearing the capability to develop nuclear weapons. However, the international nuclear agency responsible for monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities has stated it has found no solid evidence of an organised weapons program.

That agency has raised concerns about Iran stockpiling roughly 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, which is close to the level typically considered weapons-grade at about 90%. This amount could potentially be enough for around 10 nuclear bombs if further enriched.

The attacks seriously damaged or destroyed Iran’s enrichment sites, but the fate of its enriched uranium stockpile remains uncertain, as inspectors have not been able to conduct verifications since the strikes.

In his address to the international body’s member states, Wright emphasised that the U.S. position is clear: Iran’s nuclear weapons pathway, including all uranium enrichment and plutonium reprocessing activities, must be fully dismantled.

Meanwhile, Britain, France, and Germany—known as the E3—have begun a month-long process to reinstate sanctions on Iran that were previously lifted under a 2015 nuclear agreement, which fell apart after the U.S. withdrew in 2018. The E3 have indicated they may pause this process if Iran allows full resumption of inspections, accounts for its enriched uranium stockpiles, and engages in direct nuclear negotiations with the U.S.

Last week, Iran agreed with the international nuclear agency on steps toward resuming inspections, though it remains uncertain whether this progress will satisfy the European countries.

Iran maintains that it has the right to enrich uranium, as permitted to all members of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), so long as it is for peaceful purposes, and denies any intention to develop nuclear weapons.

By contrast, Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, though it neither confirms nor denies this.

Wright expressed hope that talks would resume and be successful, adding that the U.S. offers Iran the possibility of rejoining the global trading community through the lifting of sanctions. He described this as a significant benefit for the Iranian people and said there are additional incentives for Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a “historic victory” on Wednesday following the U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Iran, marking the end of a brutal 12-day conflict that brought the region to the brink of full-scale war.

In a nationally televised address, Netanyahu thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in securing the truce and claimed that Israel had successfully dismantled two key existential threats posed by Iran. “We have removed the threat of nuclear destruction and the threat of 20,000 ballistic missiles Iran was preparing to deploy. This is a victory that will abide for generations,” he said.

The ceasefire, announced late Tuesday, followed intense mediation efforts led by Trump’s Middle East envoy Rick Halston. It halted a conflict that saw unprecedented aerial exchanges between Iran and Israel, with multiple strikes reported near nuclear and military sites.

While Israel is claiming victory, Iranian state media has not confirmed Netanyahu’s assertions about missile capabilities or nuclear facilities. Iran’s foreign ministry issued a brief statement acknowledging the ceasefire but warned it would “respond decisively” to any future aggression.

Netanyahu also reiterated his government’s ongoing commitment to combating what he called the “Iran Axis” a term he used to describe Iranian-backed groups including Hamas and Hezbollah. “Our struggle is not over. We remain vigilant against those who wish to destroy us,” he said.

The announcement was met with celebrations in parts of Israel, though critics accused Netanyahu of using the moment to bolster his domestic political position amid ongoing investigations and protests.

Meanwhile, international observers have urged restraint and called for renewed efforts toward a broader peace settlement in the region.