The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, has raised concerns that Iran is “not far” from acquiring a nuclear bomb. His warning came just before he arrived in Tehran for talks. While Iran insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, the international community, especially Western nations, has long suspected Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons.
Grossi explained in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde that Iran has the “pieces” needed for a nuclear bomb, and it could potentially put them together at any time. He emphasized that while Iran still has some way to go, it is “not far off” from achieving this capability.
He also stated that merely denying the possession of nuclear weapons is not enough for the international community to trust Iran. “We need to be able to verify,” Grossi said, underlining the importance of inspections and transparency.
Grossi arrived in Tehran for talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other officials to discuss the country’s nuclear activities. He stressed that cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is essential to ensure Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful, especially during this crucial period of diplomatic talks.
Grossi’s visit comes ahead of a second round of negotiations between Iran and the United States, scheduled for this weekend. These talks are seen as an opportunity to restore the nuclear deal that was abandoned by the U.S. in 2018 under President Donald Trump.
Iran, on the other hand, has firmly stated that its uranium enrichment program is “non-negotiable.” Iran has been enriching uranium beyond the limits set by the 2015 nuclear deal. The latest report from the IAEA shows that Iran has accumulated nearly 275 kg of uranium enriched to up to 60%, a level far above the 3.67% limit set by the original agreement, but still short of the 90% required for a nuclear bomb.