diff --git a/src/agent_evidence.py b/src/agent_evidence.py
index 4352fc3f5..eaf9b5f19 100644
--- a/src/agent_evidence.py
+++ b/src/agent_evidence.py
@@ -592,6 +592,29 @@ class EvidenceLedger:
                 artifact_path=path,
             )
 
+        if tool == "read_file":
+            try:
+                read_args = json.loads(command or "{}")
+            except (TypeError, json.JSONDecodeError):
+                read_args = None
+            read_path = (
+                _clean_path(str(read_args.get("path") or ""))
+                if isinstance(read_args, Mapping)
+                else ""
+            )
+            if read_path and any(
+                _artifact_path_matches_required(read_path, required)
+                for required in self.requirements.required_artifacts
+            ):
+                self._append(
+                    kind=EvidenceKind.ARTIFACT_VALIDATION,
+                    success=success,
+                    authoritative=authoritative,
+                    source=event,
+                    artifact_path=read_path,
+                    detail="post-write artifact inspection",
+                )
+
         if _TEST_COMMAND_RE.search(_command_text(command)) or _matches_declared_verifier(
             command,
             self.requirements.verifier_commands,
diff --git a/tests/test_agent_evidence.py b/tests/test_agent_evidence.py
index 40e37939c..64cc0f386 100644
--- a/tests/test_agent_evidence.py
+++ b/tests/test_agent_evidence.py
@@ -557,6 +557,41 @@ def test_json_write_file_then_read_records_required_artifact_mutation():
     )
 
 
+def test_read_file_after_write_satisfies_required_artifact_validation():
+    requirements = CompletionRequirements(
+        required_artifacts=("/workspace/results/paper_digest.md",),
+        verifier_required=True,
+    )
+    ledger = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events(
+        [
+            {
+                "round": 1,
+                "tool": "write_file",
+                "command": json.dumps({
+                    "path": "/workspace/results/paper_digest.md",
+                    "content": "# Verified digest\n",
+                }),
+                "output": "wrote /workspace/results/paper_digest.md",
+                "exit_code": 0,
+            },
+            {
+                "round": 2,
+                "tool": "read_file",
+                "command": json.dumps({
+                    "path": "/workspace/results/paper_digest.md",
+                }),
+                "output": "# Verified digest\n",
+                "exit_code": 0,
+            },
+        ],
+        requirements,
+    )
+
+    decision = ledger.evaluate()
+    assert decision.status == CompletionStatus.SATISFIED
+    assert decision.can_complete is True
+
+
 def test_inspect_media_export_satisfies_declared_artifact():
     requirements = infer_completion_requirements("Save /workspace/frame.png")
     ledger = EvidenceLedger.from_tool_events(