IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi emphasized that his agency has not found proof of an Iranian nuclear weapons program.
According to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, the agency’s latest report, which found no evidence of Iran developing a nuclear bomb, does not justify Israel’s recent attack on Iran.
Israel launched airstrikes against Iran the previous week, alleging that Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon. Iran denied the allegations and responded with retaliatory strikes.
The Israeli attack occurred shortly after the IAEA Board of Governors declared Iran in violation of its nonproliferation commitments. The resolution referenced Grossi’s recent report indicating that Iran had enriched uranium to 60% purity, which is below the 90% needed for weapons-grade material, and was not cooperating fully with inspectors.
Speaking on CNN, Grossi stated that the IAEA’s report “could hardly be a basis for military action.”
He added, “Military action, whomever it comes [from], is a political decision that has nothing to do with what we are saying.”
Grossi acknowledged Iran’s failure to fully address the agency’s questions, but he stressed that the IAEA has “do not have any indication that there is a systematic program in Iran to manufacture, to produce a nuclear weapon.”
He also clarified that enriched uranium alone is not equivalent to a nuclear bomb, stating, “We do not have any evidence that this is ongoing in Iran.”
Previously, Iran accused the IAEA chief of bias, asserting that his “biased report” was used to “craft” the resolution that Israel used to justify its “unlawful attack.”
U.S. intelligence agencies also maintain that there’s no proof of Iran building a nuclear weapon. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed these findings, insisting that Iran was “very close” to obtaining a bomb when Israel attacked. He demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and warned of potential U.S. involvement if American targets were attacked.
Since the start of its offensive, Israel has struck several Iranian nuclear facilities, including sites in Natanz, Isfahan, and near Tehran. Reports indicate, however, that the Israeli military may lack the capability to penetrate Iran’s fortified Fordow facility – constructed deep inside a mountain – and has purportedly requested the U.S. to use its GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, according to Axios.
The White House has stated that Trump had ruled out direct U.S. participation in the strikes. Nevertheless, The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the former president had already approved a U.S. attack plan but has yet to issue the order.
Israel’s actions have been widely condemned. Moscow has accused West Jerusalem of violating international law and cautioned that U.S. intervention would worsen the crisis.
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