Iran nears nuclear threshold, warns IAEA chief

IAEA head Rafael Grossi warns Iran nears nuclear bomb capability within weeks, stressing Tehran’s intentions remain unclear despite heightened enrichment activities

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, stated that Iran could possess enough enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb in a matter of weeks, emphasizing that this development doesn’t necessarily indicate Tehran’s immediate intent to weaponize.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, has warned that Iran is on the brink of obtaining the enriched uranium necessary for constructing a nuclear weapon, pending a decision by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Grossi’s recent visit to Iran was geared towards bolstering the U.N.’s supervision of Iranian nuclear endeavors, particularly in light of heightened apprehensions surrounding the removal of surveillance cameras and the detection of unanticipated uranium traces since 2022.

Experts warn that Iran’s nuclear program has accelerated despite the 2018 U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal, leading to heightened enrichment activities and reduced cooperation with the IAEA.

Iran’s increasing uranium purity levels, nearing weapons-grade standards, pose a significant challenge, with implications for regional and global security.

Efforts to monitor and control Iran’s nuclear ambitions have faced obstacles, including restricted access to certain facilities, highlighting the urgency for diplomatic intervention by major powers.

Source: Newsroom