Confidential sources reveal Tehran's nuclear program now faces a near-total information blackout.

According to multiple sources, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has quietly pulled its last remaining inspectors from Iran. After Tehran enacted legislation criminalizing international nuclear oversight, plunging the country's atomic program into its most severe information vacuum in decades.

A Western diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity disclosed that the final group of IAEA experts departed Tehran safely on Friday, returning to the agency's Vienna headquarters. This marks the first complete expulsion of inspectors since Iran began uranium enrichment two decades ago-a program that had undergone nearly 500 IAEA verifications last year alone.

The move risks immediate condemnation from Western governments. Since last month's Israel-Iran ceasefire, world powers had pressed Tehran to restore IAEA access. But Israel's June 13 strikes on nuclear and military sites effectively erected an impenetrable barrier, terminating all monitoring of whether Iran retains weapons-grade nuclear capabilities.

The withdrawal leaves unaccounted for 409 kilograms (902 pounds) of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium material previously tracked by 274 IAEA-certified inspectors at Iranian facilities. IAEA data shows inspectors had conducted an average of 1.4 daily site visits in 2023.

Iran accuses the IAEA of aiding Israeli targeting of its nuclear sites, an allegation Director General Rafael Grossi denies. Tehran's Vienna envoy contends that the June 22 U.S.-involved strikes irreparably damaged the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which permits civilian nuclear development under IAEA supervision.

While Iran hasn't withdrawn from the NPT, it may invoke the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, permitting suspension of compliance when treaty rights are violated. The international community widely regards attacks on nuclear facilities as illegal.

Whether this argument gains traction at the IAEA or beyond could impact the fragile Israel-Iran ceasefire. Though hostilities paused on June 24 after 12 days of conflict, neither side has ruled out renewed strikes.

Analysts suggest Iran may weaponize uncertainty about its uranium stockpiles as deterrence. Should the U.S. or Israel seek clarity on the material's status and location, they'd likely need to negotiate renewed IAEA ground verification-a process now in limbo.