IAEA chief Grossi warns Iran ‘not far’ from nuclear bomb, calls for diplomacy

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (right) and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi (Credits: AFP)

Iran could be edging closer to developing a nuclear weapon, according to Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in an interview with Le Monde which was published just hours before his scheduled visit to Tehran.

While emphasizing that Iran has not yet reached full nuclear weapons capability, Grossi said, "They're not far from it, you have to acknowledge." He compared Iran’s progress to assembling a jigsaw puzzle, saying the country "has the pieces and they could eventually put them together one day."

Grossi’s visit to Iran comes at a critical moment as international concern over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions continues to mount.

The IAEA chief is expected to meet senior Iranian officials to discuss nuclear transparency and the agency's role in future diplomatic efforts, including recent behind-the-scenes talks between Iran and the United States in Oman.

The IAEA was originally tasked with monitoring Iran’s compliance under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark nuclear deal that aimed to curb Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

However, the agreement began to unravel after former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018, reinstating crippling sanctions on Tehran.

Grossi, who has led the IAEA since 2019, expressed hope that his agency would be included in any renewed diplomatic efforts surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, noting that trust and verification are essential pillars for any long-term resolution.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions and increasing international pressure on Iran to halt any further steps toward weaponizing its nuclear capabilities.

He further acknowledged that Europe has been sidelined from current talks on Iran's nuclear program, stating the 2015 agreement framework “no longer exists.”

Grossi noted that the original negotiating bloc — the P5+1, coordinated by the EU — has fractured due to geopolitical shifts, including the Ukraine war and a growing Russia-Iran alliance.

He emphasized that while the group is now polarized, the priority must remain diplomacy over conflict. “The ultimate goal is peace — to avoid war and prevent the emergence of nuclear weapons in Iran,” he said.

(With Le Monde inputs)