IAEA chief says Iran nuclear issue becoming 'increasingly tense'

By AFP and Global Watch | 2024-11-12

The director general of the United Nations nuclear watchdog warned on November 12 that "the margins for maneuver are beginning to shrink" on Iran's nuclear program ahead of an important trip to Tehran.

"The Iranian administration must understand that the international situation is becoming increasingly tense and that the margins to maneuver are beginning to shrink, and that it is imperative to find ways to reach diplomatic solutions," Rafael Grossi told AFP in an interview at the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

'Need to see more'

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is allowed to carry out inspections in Iran, he said, but "we need to see more. Given the size, depth and ambition of Iran's program, we need to find ways of giving the agency more visibility."

In 2018, a nuclear deal that was supposed to dismantle much of Iran's nuclear program and open it up to greater inspection in exchange for the lifting of sanctions collapsed.

All attempts to revive the 2015 accord -- signed with the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany -- have since failed.

"It's an empty shell," Grossi admitted.

Keeps expanding

Since then the Iranian nuclear program has continued to expand, even if Tehran denies it has a nuclear bomb.

The Islamic Republic has greatly increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, according to the IAEA, close to the 90% needed to make an atomic weapon.

Grossi's last visit to Iran was in May when he went to Isfahan province, home to the Natanz uranium enrichment plant.

He then urged Iran's leaders to adopt "concrete" measures to address concerns over its nuclear program and to increase cooperation with inspectors.

In September, the IAEA said "no progress" had been made by Iran on outstanding issues, including reinstalling cameras to monitor Tehran's nuclear program and explaining uranium traces found at two undeclared sites.