The arrival of United Nations weapons inspectors in Iraq was a critical development following years of scrutiny over the nation’s military capabilities, particularly its alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Led by Hans Blix, the inspections aimed to evaluate and verify Iraq's adherence to UN Security Council resolutions that mandated disarmament after the Gulf War. This mission was initiated amidst escalating tensions between Iraq and the United States, which insisted that Iraq was concealing weapons programs and posed a threat to international security.

During the late 1990s, various reports and inspections had raised concerns over Iraq’s failure to comply with disarmament obligations, leading to the weapons inspectors' return in 2002. The inspections were seen as a last chance to avoid military intervention, with the international community divided on how to approach Iraq's alleged violations. The presence of the inspectors symbolized a step towards diplomacy and a desire to use peaceful means to deter potential conflict.

As the team began its work in Iraq, the global attention was focused on the outcomes of their investigations. The inspectors conducted extensive searches at suspected sites for chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons facilities. However, the report findings would later spur debates over the legitimacy of military actions taken by the US and its allies in the lead-up to the Iraq War in 2003, indicating the profound implications of the inspection process and the geopolitical atmosphere of the time.