The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, has warned that Iran has the capacity to start uranium enrichment again for a possible bomb in “a matter of months.” Grossi’s statement comes after the US strikes on three Iranian sites last weekend, which caused severe but “not total” damage, contradicting Donald Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear facilities were “totally obliterated.”
According to Grossi, Iran still possesses the “industrial and technological capacities… so if they so wish, they will be able to start doing this again.”
Grossi’s assessment is consistent with a Pentagon intelligence assessment earlier this week, which found that the US strikes only set Iran’s nuclear program back by months.
Trump retorted furiously, declaring that Iran’s nuclear sites were “completely destroyed” and accusing the media of “an attempt to demean one of the most successful military strikes in history.” The true extent of the damage caused by the strikes remains unclear, with Iran sending conflicting messages on the impact of the attacks.
Iran’s nuclear program has been a contentious issue for years, with the country insisting that its program is peaceful and for civilian use only. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found Tehran to be in breach of its non-proliferation obligations, leading to increased tensions with the international community.
Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran was not permitted to enrich uranium above 3.67% purity, but Trump’s abandonment of the agreement in 2018 led to Iran increasingly breaching the restrictions.
Grossi emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, stating that “at the end of the day, this whole thing, after the military strikes, will have to have a long-lasting solution, which cannot be but a diplomatic one.” Despite Iran’s refusal to work with the IAEA, Grossi expressed hope that he could still negotiate with Tehran, highlighting the importance of finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
The situation remains volatile, with Trump warning that he would “absolutely” consider bombing Iran again if intelligence found that it could enrich uranium to concerning levels.
The international community is closely watching the developments, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. As Grossi noted, “I have to sit down with Iran and look into this, because at the end of the day, this whole thing, after the military strikes, will have to have a long-lasting solution, which cannot be but a diplomatic one.”
The stakes are high, with the potential for significant consequences if the situation escalates further. The international community must work together to find a peaceful solution, one that addresses the concerns of all parties involved and prevents further conflict. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: diplomacy and cooperation are essential to preventing a wider conflict and ensuring a peaceful resolution to the crisis.