Inspections in Iran: What Would Inspectors Need? What Are the Lessons Learned from Iraq?

William Tobey, senior fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, participated in a panel hosted by the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control. The panel concluded that a final deal with Iran will require a full declaration of nuclear related activities undertaken by Iran in order to determine the inspection measures necessary to monitor the Iranian program. It also stated that an agreement should provide a mechanism for reporting violations and managing disputes, and authorizing challenge inspections of sites in Iran. The panel also suggested that verification will need to be augmented by national intelligence capacities, be conducted by expert personnel with the latest equipment, and monitor the importation of dual-use technology items. The panel concluded that over time the rigor of inspections will probably decline, and so it is important to remain vigilant and prevent “inspections fatigue."