Overview

• The IAEA confirmed Austria has assigned its Cobra unit to protect Director-General Rafael Grossi following a threat, while saying the source of the threat remains unverified.
• Iran’s state-run IRNA quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying IAEA inspectors observed a fuel replacement at the Bushehr power plant, a presence the agency has not publicly acknowledged.
• Araghchi said the reported Bushehr visit does not indicate wider access, citing a parliamentary law that restricts cooperation without security guarantees.
• France, Germany and the United Kingdom signaled they are prepared to trigger a UN sanctions snapback unless Iran addresses inspection and verification concerns by August 31.
• Tensions have climbed since the IAEA Board censured Iran in June, followed by Israeli strikes, Iranian accusations against the agency, calls inside Iran to detain Grossi, and unresolved questions about highly enriched uranium stockpiles.