A nuclear reactor built secretly during the rule of the toppled leader Bashar al-Assad in Syria would have been able to produce the needed fissile material for possible use in nuclear weapons, the chief of the UN nuclear watchdog has revealed.&nbsp;Last month, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited two sites, one in Deir ez-Zor and a second in an undisclosed location identified to them by Syrian authorities.&nbsp;IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday it was “obvious that the previous government was pursuing a number of clandestine” activities. “They didn’t want the world to know what they were doing,” Grossi told reporters after opening the Vienna-based agency’s quarterly board of governors meeting.&nbsp;“Given the configuration, the technical features of that type of reactor, this is a reactor that is very efficient in the production of fissile material that could be used directly for the fabrication of nuclear weapons,” he said, adding that building the reactor was a “very important step”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pa-c-k-of-lies-pakistan-s-ai-victory-video-claims-hits-on-32-iaf-bases-8-aircraft-2-s-400s-and-indian-parliament-1788792189590">Pa(c)k of lies: Pakistan’s AI ‘victory’ video claims hits on 32 IAF bases, 8 aircraft, 2 S-400s and Indian Parliament</a><h2>Syria was running an undeclared nuclear programme under Assad</h2>&nbsp;The revelation proves that Syria was running an extensive undeclared nuclear programme under Assad that included a nuclear reactor built by North Korea in the eastern Deir ez-Zor province.&nbsp;After Assad was ousted in December 2024, the new government agreed to give IAEA inspectors access to suspected former nuclear sites.&nbsp;During a visit to Syria in August, IAEA inspectors confirmed that “the cooling infrastructure which has now been uncovered is consistent with that of a nuclear reactor”.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/man-kills-wife-stores-her-severed-head-and-chopped-fingers-in-fridge-arrested-1788785818077">Man kills wife, stores her severed head and chopped fingers in fridge; arrested</a>&nbsp;Grossi and a team of senior inspectors also visited a previously undeclared site in the country.&nbsp;<h2>‘IAEA finds 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal at site’</h2>&nbsp;In 2018, Israel admitted carrying out a top-secret air raid on the site 11 years earlier.Much earlier, in 2008, less than a year after the Israeli strike, US officials had accused Syria of having sought to build a secret nuclear reactor and acknowledged that Israel had destroyed it in the raid.&nbsp;Syria notified the agency of the site’s existence in a 17 July letter and invited the IAEA “to cooperate with the Syrian authorities in the inspection and verification of the site and of any nuclear material to be potentially found”.In its confidential report circulated to member states last Tuesday, the IAEA said that this new site contained “natural uranium metal in the form of fuel rods with cladding”. The agency verified the material and confirmed “the presence of around 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/7-foot-python-found-hiding-in-car-s-engine-in-mumbai-rescue-video-goes-viral-1788800825739">7-foot python found hiding in car’s engine in Mumbai; rescue video goes viral | Watch</a>&nbsp;Grossi said that when the inspectors visited the site in August, they had to “tear down walls” and go through “very difficult and narrow passages” to reach the nuclear material that had been hidden. The site had boxes scattered all over the place, he said.&nbsp;<h2>Syrian govt to decide whether to retain nuclear mterial</h2>&nbsp;“The important thing is that this material now is under safeguards” of the IAEA, Grossi said, adding that agency inspectors had managed to install cameras at the location.Asked if the nuclear material would remain in Syria or be removed, Grossi said this was “a matter that the Syrian government will have to decide”.&nbsp;“We are not requesting them to do this or to do that. For us what’s important is that we know all the time where this [material] is until the last gram,” he added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/energy-and-food-security-biggest-combined-population-and-gdp-and-the-two-big-challenges-for-brics-1788809454367">Energy and food security: Biggest combined population and GDP, and the two big challenges for BRICS</a>&nbsp;Logan Mintz, a director for nuclear materials security at the Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative, said once deemed safe to move, the material could be “transported in certified containers” to a third country that could “safely and securely disposition it into a more chemically stable and more widely used form” for possible use in nuclear power plants.

During a visit to Syria in August, IAEA inspectors confirmed that “the cooling infrastructure which has now been uncovered is consistent with that of a nuclear reactor”. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi and a team of senior inspectors also visited a previously undeclared site in the country.

A nuclear reactor built secretly during the rule of the toppled leader Bashar al-Assad in Syria would have been able to produce the needed fissile material for possible use in nuclear weapons, the chief of the UN nuclear watchdog has revealed. Last month, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited two sites, one in Deir ez-Zor and a second in an undisclosed location identified to them by Syrian authorities. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday it was “obvious that the previous government was pursuing a number of clandestine” activities. “They didn’t want the world to know what they were doing,” Grossi told reporters after opening the Vienna-based agency’s quarterly board of governors meeting. “Given the configuration, the technical features of that type of reactor, this is a reactor that is very efficient in the production of fissile material that could be used directly for the fabrication of nuclear weapons,” he said, adding that building the reactor was a “very important step”. Also Read: Pa(c)k of lies: Pakistan’s AI ‘victory’ video claims hits on 32 IAF bases, 8 aircraft, 2 S-400s and Indian Parliament Syria was running an undeclared nuclear programme under Assad The revelation proves that Syria was running an extensive undeclared nuclear programme under Assad that included a nuclear reactor built by North Korea in the eastern Deir ez-Zor province. After Assad was ousted in December 2024, the new government agreed to give IAEA inspectors access to suspected former nuclear sites. During a visit to Syria in August, IAEA inspectors confirmed that “the cooling infrastructure which has now been uncovered is consistent with that of a nuclear reactor”. Also Read: Man kills wife, stores her severed head and chopped fingers in fridge; arrested Grossi and a team of senior inspectors also visited a previously undeclared site in the country. ‘IAEA finds 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal at site’ In 2018, Israel admitted carrying out a top-secret air raid on the site 11 years earlier. Much earlier, in 2008, less than a year after the Israeli strike, US officials had accused Syria of having sought to build a secret nuclear reactor and acknowledged that Israel had destroyed it in the raid. Syria notified the agency of the site’s existence in a 17 July letter and invited the IAEA “to cooperate with the Syrian authorities in the inspection and verification of the site and of any nuclear material to be potentially found”. In its confidential report circulated to member states last Tuesday, the IAEA said that this new site contained “natural uranium metal in the form of fuel rods with cladding”. The agency verified the material and confirmed “the presence of around 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal”. Also Read: 7-foot python found hiding in car’s engine in Mumbai; rescue video goes viral | Watch Grossi said that when the inspectors visited the site in August, they had to “tear down walls” and go through “very difficult and narrow passages” to reach the nuclear material that had been hidden. The site had boxes scattered all over the place, he said. Syrian govt to decide whether to retain nuclear mterial “The important thing is that this material now is under safeguards” of the IAEA, Grossi said, adding that agency inspectors had managed to install cameras at the location. Asked if the nuclear material would remain in Syria or be removed, Grossi said this was “a matter that the Syrian government will have to decide”. “We are not requesting them to do this or to do that. For us what’s important is that we know all the time where this [material] is until the last gram,” he added. Also Read: Energy and food security: Biggest combined population and GDP, and the two big challenges for BRICS Logan Mintz, a director for nuclear materials security at the Washington-based Nuclear Threat Initiative, said once deemed safe to move, the material could be “transported in certified containers” to a third country that could “safely and securely disposition it into a more chemically stable and more widely used form” for possible use in nuclear power plants.

During a visit to Syria in August, IAEA inspectors confirmed that “the cooling infrastructure which has now been uncovered is consistent with that of a nuclear reactor”. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi and a team of senior inspectors also visited a previously undeclared site in the country.

‘Secret reactor in Syria could have been used for nuclear weapons,’ says IAEA after finding 73 tonnes of natural uranium

UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday that his agency found several tonnes of nuclear materials at a previously undeclared site dating from the rule of Syria’s previous government.Addressing a joint press conference with Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Damascus, the ⁠ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief said, “After your courageous decision to inform us that there was another place, another site where nuclear material had been stored, we were able to access this place... we are talking about a few tonnes of nuclear material that could be put to bad use.&nbsp;&nbsp;Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said UN atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi visited a site containing nuclear materials in the country, and his agency collected samples.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-won-both-war-and-diplomacy-araghchi-says-conflict-completely-dispelled-notion-of-tehran-s-weakness-1787060840037">‘Iran won both war and diplomacy’: Araghchi says conflict ‘completely dispelled’ notion of Tehran’s weakness</a>&nbsp;“On July 17, we sent an official letter to the agency, in which we declared of our own free will the presence of nuclear materials at an undeclared site within the legacy left by the former regime,” Shaibani said at the press conference, adding that Grossi and the agency team completed their site visit this morning and collected the necessary samples.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’m currently in Syria, in the context of ongoing cooperation with the Syrian Government to clarify and resolve outstanding safeguards issues related to implementing its NPT Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA. We conducted the following activities: •⁠ ⁠Deir Ez-Zor site:… <a href="https://t.co/unvDU7J6uB">pic.twitter.com/unvDU7J6uB</a>&mdash; Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) <a href="https://x.com/rafaelmgrossi/status/2089726053115715839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/don-t-beg-pakistan-strictly-warns-its-umrah-pilgrims-tells-them-to-fully-comply-with-saudi-laws-1786991746961">‘Don’t beg,’ Pakistan strictly warns its Umrah pilgrims, tells them to fully comply with Saudi laws</a>&nbsp;The nuclear material was not dangerous and would remain in Syrian custody, subject to the IAEA’s guarantees, he added.Asaad al-Shibani added that Syria has the right to use the material for civil and peaceful purposes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/supreme-court-rejects-trump-s-renewed-appeal-to-block-e-jean-carroll-award-1786975184644">Supreme Court rejects Trump’s renewed appeal to block E. Jean Carroll award</a>&nbsp;After the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Syria’s new authorities have committed to working with the United Nations’ nuclear ⁠watchdog to address the nuclear activities during decades of Assad family rule.&nbsp;Syria is not known to hold operational stockpiles ⁠of nuclear material for a weapons programme, but Israel bombed a suspected ⁠Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007 in the country’s eastern province of Deir al-Zor.

After the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Syria’s new authorities have committed to working with the United Nations’ nuclear ⁠watchdog to address the nuclear activities during decades of Assad family rule. The nuclear material was not dangerous.

UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday that his agency found several tonnes of nuclear materials at a previously undeclared site dating from the rule of Syria’s previous government. Addressing a joint press conference with Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Damascus, the ⁠ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief said, “After your courageous decision to inform us that there was another place, another site where nuclear material had been stored, we were able to access this place... we are talking about a few tonnes of nuclear material that could be put to bad use. Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said UN atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi visited a site containing nuclear materials in the country, and his agency collected samples. Also Read: ‘Iran won both war and diplomacy’: Araghchi says conflict ‘completely dispelled’ notion of Tehran’s weakness “On July 17, we sent an official letter to the agency, in which we declared of our own free will the presence of nuclear materials at an undeclared site within the legacy left by the former regime,” Shaibani said at the press conference, adding that Grossi and the agency team completed their site visit this morning and collected the necessary samples.

After the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, Syria’s new authorities have committed to working with the United Nations’ nuclear ⁠watchdog to address the nuclear activities during decades of Assad family rule. The nuclear material was not dangerous.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi says agency found ‘tonnes of nuclear material’ in Syria

According to a report, U.S. has brokered a deal whereby IAEA will soon remove nuclear material stored at a clandestine site in Syria. This material was reportedly moved from the Al-Kibar facility which was bombed by Israel in 2007.


Syria's nuclear material to be removed in US-brokered deal, report says

The United States has signed a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, a move being presented as an energy partnership but one that is raising serious strategic questions across West Asia. While Washington says the deal supports Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear ambitions, critics warn it could reshape the regional balance of power.

The agreement has sparked concerns in Israel over nuclear proliferation, while questions remain about uranium enrichment restrictions, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) oversight, and whether the deal is linked to Saudi Arabia normalizing ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords.

US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Sparks Fears of Middle East Nuclear Arms Race | Israel, Iran on Edge

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization has accused the United States of launching an "aggressive and brutal" attack on the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear power plant in Khuzestan province. The strike, which reportedly occurred early Sunday, was condemned by Iranian officials as an act of terrorism and a violation of international law.

US-Iran war: Iran says US attack hit nuclear power plant under construction

President Trump said Tuesday that Iran had "fully and completely" agreed to allow nuclear inspections, but Tehran said there were "no plans" for IAEA inspectors to return to its bombed enrichment sites. Vice President JD Vance said Monday that U.N. inspectors could return as soon as this week.


Trump Says Iran Agreed for Inspection at Bombed Nuclear Site, Iran Rejects Claim

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that external power to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been cut off, raising fresh concerns over nuclear safety amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.


IAEA Confirms Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant's External Power Cut Off

The United States has circulated a draft resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seeking full access to Iran’s bombed nuclear sites and clarification on the status of its enriched uranium stockpiles. The move comes amid mounting concerns that inspectors have been unable to verify the condition or location of key nuclear materials after recent strikes. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has warned that much of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is believed to remain inside the country, but its exact whereabouts and condition cannot be independently confirmed without on-site inspections.


US Pushes IAEA Resolution on Iran’s Bombed Nuclear Sites; Agency Says Uranium Remains in Iran

A sharp contradiction has emerged between Donald Trump’s claims and US intelligence findings on Iran’s nuclear programme. While Trump has suggested major success, intelligence reports indicate Iran’s capabilities remain largely intact. The International Atomic Energy Agency has also warned that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile could potentially be enough for around 10 nuclear weapons, raising serious global security concerns and questions over the effectiveness of recent strikes.


US Intel: Iran's Nuclear Programme Still Intact Despite Attacks

The world could be heading toward a dangerous nuclear arms race, warns Rafael Grossi. Rising global tensions, especially around Iran and ongoing conflicts, are pushing more countries to reconsider nuclear weapons for security. Experts fear a “domino effect” where as many as 20 nations may pursue nuclear capability, weakening global trust and non-proliferation efforts.


IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi Warns Up To 20 Countries May Go Nuclear 

International Atomic Energy Agency has warned of a “very serious escalation” in nuclear risks as North Korea continues expanding its nuclear weapons capacity. The alert raises fresh global concerns over Pyongyang’s growing arsenal, regional instability in East Asia, and renewed pressure on international diplomacy to curb nuclear proliferation.


IAEA Flags Serious Escalation Over North Korea Nukes

IAEA Warns of Very Serious Escalation, N Korea Expands Nuke Capacity

A projectile strike near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant has killed one security personnel and damaged an auxiliary building, while the main reactor remains unaffected. Bushehr, Iran’s first commercial nuclear facility on the Persian Gulf, has now seen multiple incidents in recent weeks. The attack comes amid rising US-Iran tensions, with Iranian forces warning of strong retaliation and tightening security around the sensitive site.


US-Iran War: Iran Informs IAEA About 4th Attack on Bushehr Nuclear Plant

The United States and Israel have carried out strikes targeting parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including facilities linked to the Natanz Nuclear Facility and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology and Research Center.

According to the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there has been no spike in radiation levels following the attacks. The agency said facilities containing nuclear material were not damaged and there is currently no risk of a radiological release.

US, Israel Strike Iran’s Isfahan, Natanz Nuclear Sites

Fire and heavy smoke were seen rising around the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait City, sparking urgent security concerns. Eyewitness footage shows thick plumes of smoke near the diplomatic zone as authorities respond to the unfolding situation.

Details remain limited as officials assess the cause of the incident and evaluate potential security threats. Stay tuned for real-time updates, verified reports, and on-the-ground developments.



Israel-Iran War | IAEA Chief Breifs on Strikes: 'Iran Has Ambitious Nuclear Programme'

Russia has requested the Secretariat of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to convene a special session of the Board of Governors on Iran. This was announced by Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, on the social media platform X. The purpose of the meeting, as discussed by the IAEA, is to use the forum to condemn the US-Israeli strikes, which Russia alleges targeted nuclear infrastructure under IAEA safeguards."Russia has requested from the secretariat of the International Atomic Energy Agency the convening of a special session of the Board of Governors on Monday morning, before the start of the next meeting of the Board," wrote Ulyanov.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-opposition-walkout-modi-knesset-visit-1772102397581">Israeli opposition stages walkout during Narendra Modi's Knesset visit</a>IAEA has not reported any radiological changes following the US-Israel strikes on Iran. The IAEA was scheduled to hold its regular session at 10:00 CET on March 2, but following the strikes, both Russia and Iran have requested to convene a special session an hour earlier, at 9:00 CET. The agenda at the IAEA's quarterly meeting already had Iran's nuclear enrichment and access issues. Now, Russia and Iran are requesting a special conversation, which is remarkable timing.&nbsp;Israel has maintained its nuclear ambiguity for decades, has not signed the NPT and has repeatedly attacked its neighbouring nations, such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Gaza, on the guise of national security. Iran, which has no nuclear weapons, faces severe sanctions for its nuclear program. Now, following the strikes, Iranian state media have confirmed the killing of Khamenei’s security adviser, Ali Shamkhani, as well as IRGC commander-in-chief Mohammad Pakpour. The incentive for Iran to join the arms race has never been higher, and perhaps the killing of Khamenei will accelerate its ambitions. Whoever succeeds Khamenei is likely to want to deter any decapitation strikes. Further, Iraq and Libya still serve as a warning for Iran's hardliners, who will see nuclear weapons as the ultimate guarantee.&nbsp;

Russia has requested a special IAEA Board meeting after alleged US-Israel strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, as Tehran and Moscow push for condemnation.

Russia has requested the Secretariat of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to convene a special session of the Board of Governors on Iran. This was announced by Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, on the social media platform X. The purpose of the meeting, as discussed by the IAEA, is to use the forum to condemn the US-Israeli strikes, which Russia alleges targeted nuclear infrastructure under IAEA safeguards. "Russia has requested from the secretariat of the International Atomic Energy Agency the convening of a special session of the Board of Governors on Monday morning, before the start of the next meeting of the Board," wrote Ulyanov. Also Read: Israeli opposition stages walkout during Narendra Modi's Knesset visit IAEA has not reported any radiological changes following the US-Israel strikes on Iran. The IAEA was scheduled to hold its regular session at 10:00 CET on March 2, but following the strikes, both Russia and Iran have requested to convene a special session an hour earlier, at 9:00 CET. The agenda at the IAEA's quarterly meeting already had Iran's nuclear enrichment and access issues. Now, Russia and Iran are requesting a special conversation, which is remarkable timing. Israel has maintained its nuclear ambiguity for decades, has not signed the NPT and has repeatedly attacked its neighbouring nations, such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Gaza, on the guise of national security. Iran, which has no nuclear weapons, faces severe sanctions for its nuclear program. Now, following the strikes, Iranian state media have confirmed the killing of Khamenei’s security adviser, Ali Shamkhani, as well as IRGC commander-in-chief Mohammad Pakpour. The incentive for Iran to join the arms race has never been higher, and perhaps the killing of Khamenei will accelerate its ambitions. Whoever succeeds Khamenei is likely to want to deter any decapitation strikes. Further, Iraq and Libya still serve as a warning for Iran's hardliners, who will see nuclear weapons as the ultimate guarantee.

Russia has requested a special IAEA Board meeting after alleged US-Israel strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, as Tehran and Moscow push for condemnation.

Russia and Iran push for emergency IAEA board meeting after US-Israel strikes on Iran

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, told AFP Monday that diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program were at a "difficult juncture" but dialogue would continue.The UN Security Council voted on Friday to reimpose UN sanctions that had been frozen, after three European governments activated the "snapback" mechanism in a decade-old nuclear agreement, accusing Iran of non-compliance."It's obviously quite a difficult juncture. It's a very difficult situation we are facing right now," the International Atomic Energy Agency chief said, adding that talks between involved parties were planned in New York for Monday."What's important is the communications are continuing. We are planning to see each other if possible today, Monday, here in New York, and perhaps more meetings during the week."Friday's vote means that the sanctions, which were suspended in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities set out in the 2015 deal, will take effect again on September 28 unless Iran can persuade the council to relent in the next week.Tehran said the action by the European powers -- Britain, France and Germany -- undermined months of engagement with the IAEA aimed at resuming monitoring and ensuring compliance with international rules.Grossi praised the active diplomacy of French President Emmanuel Macron to salvage a deal, and said that there were still lines of communication between Tehran and Washington.<h2>‘Avoid prolonged confrontation’</h2>"Emmanuel Macron is very present, has been historically, and I respect him enormously," Grossi said."I think the Special Envoy, Ambassador (Steve) Witkoff, has also been involved and actively exploring different channels and presenting a number of ideas," Grossi said.Grossi said his dialog with Witkoff had enabled him to understand Washington's position and red lines."And the IAEA is not a party to the agreement -- but it's indispensable in every scenario. So we continue the work with Ambassador Witkoff," Grossi said.Earlier this month, Iran and the IAEA reached an agreement in Cairo that would have allowed inspections of Iranian nuclear sites to resume.Iran had suspended them after Israel and the United States attacked its nuclear facilities in June.Western governments have long accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapons capability, an ambition Tehran denies.Tehran has also criticised the IAEA for failing to condemn the Israeli and US strikes.Paris, London, and Berlin have stressed their demands that the Islamic Republic grant IAEA inspectors full access to nuclear sites, including those damaged by Israeli and American attacks last June.They also call for a resumption of negotiations, particularly with the US side.Tehran says it is resisting political pressure and accuses the Europeans of not taking up a "balanced" proposal, the details of which have not been disclosed."We are not at a point where people are not talking to each other, and you have to convince them to come together," Grossi said."So does that mean that I am optimistic? Well, neither optimistic nor pessimistic," he said adding that he remained hopeful that "we can still have an agreement.""If we don't have it, I think we have to try to (right) the boat as soon as possible to avoid prolonged confrontation and perhaps more attacks."Grossi also said he would seek to succeed Antonio Guterres as Secretary-General of the UN when his term ends in December 2026.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Paris, London, and Berlin have stressed their demands that the Islamic Republic grant IAEA inspectors full access to nuclear sites, including those damaged by Israeli and American attacks last June.

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, told AFP Monday that diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute over Iran's nuclear program were at a "difficult juncture" but dialogue would continue. The UN Security Council voted on Friday to reimpose UN sanctions that had been frozen, after three European governments activated the "snapback" mechanism in a decade-old nuclear agreement, accusing Iran of non-compliance. "It's obviously quite a difficult juncture. It's a very difficult situation we are facing right now," the International Atomic Energy Agency chief said, adding that talks between involved parties were planned in New York for Monday. "What's important is the communications are continuing. We are planning to see each other if possible today, Monday, here in New York, and perhaps more meetings during the week." Friday's vote means that the sanctions, which were suspended in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities set out in the 2015 deal, will take effect again on September 28 unless Iran can persuade the council to relent in the next week. Tehran said the action by the European powers -- Britain, France and Germany -- undermined months of engagement with the IAEA aimed at resuming monitoring and ensuring compliance with international rules. Grossi praised the active diplomacy of French President Emmanuel Macron to salvage a deal, and said that there were still lines of communication between Tehran and Washington. ‘Avoid prolonged confrontation’ "Emmanuel Macron is very present, has been historically, and I respect him enormously," Grossi said. "I think the Special Envoy, Ambassador (Steve) Witkoff, has also been involved and actively exploring different channels and presenting a number of ideas," Grossi said. Grossi said his dialog with Witkoff had enabled him to understand Washington's position and red lines. "And the IAEA is not a party to the agreement -- but it's indispensable in every scenario. So we continue the work with Ambassador Witkoff," Grossi said. Earlier this month, Iran and the IAEA reached an agreement in Cairo that would have allowed inspections of Iranian nuclear sites to resume. Iran had suspended them after Israel and the United States attacked its nuclear facilities in June. Western governments have long accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapons capability, an ambition Tehran denies. Tehran has also criticised the IAEA for failing to condemn the Israeli and US strikes. Paris, London, and Berlin have stressed their demands that the Islamic Republic grant IAEA inspectors full access to nuclear sites, including those damaged by Israeli and American attacks last June. They also call for a resumption of negotiations, particularly with the US side. Tehran says it is resisting political pressure and accuses the Europeans of not taking up a "balanced" proposal, the details of which have not been disclosed. "We are not at a point where people are not talking to each other, and you have to convince them to come together," Grossi said. "So does that mean that I am optimistic? Well, neither optimistic nor pessimistic," he said adding that he remained hopeful that "we can still have an agreement." "If we don't have it, I think we have to try to (right) the boat as soon as possible to avoid prolonged confrontation and perhaps more attacks." Grossi also said he would seek to succeed Antonio Guterres as Secretary-General of the UN when his term ends in December 2026. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Paris, London, and Berlin have stressed their demands that the Islamic Republic grant IAEA inspectors full access to nuclear sites, including those damaged by Israeli and American attacks last June.

UN's nuclear watchdog says efforts to resolve issue on Iran's nuclear at a 'difficult juncture'

The Iranian Foreign Minister said that all of their enriched material is "under the rubble of bombed facilities," while he also assured that the IAEA is examining the sites.


Iran says enriched nuclear material ‘under rubble’ of facilities hit amid Israel war 

Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have signed a new agreement to restart cooperation, paving the way for the resumption of nuclear inspections. Watch the video to know more on this!

Iran & IAEA sign agreement to restart cooperation, deal to resume nuclear inspections

Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency signed an agreement Tuesday in Cairo to pave the way for resuming cooperation, including on ways of relaunching inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities.


Iran, IAEA sign agreement to resume nuclear inspections

A day after reports of Iran suspending cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called it "fake news", saying that Tehran remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has not ended cooperation with the IAEA.In a post on X, Araghchi stated that Iran's cooperation with IAEA will be channeled through Iran's Supreme National Security Council."Fake news. Iran remains committed to the NPT and its Safeguards Agreement. In accordance with the new legislation by Majlis, sparked by the unlawful attacks against our nuclear facilities by Israel and the U.S., our cooperation with @iaeaorg will be channeled through Iran's Supreme National Security Council for obvious safety and security reasons," he wrote.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Fake news. Iran remains committed to the NPT and its Safeguards Agreement. In accordance with the new legislation by Majlis, sparked by the unlawful attacks against our nuclear facilities by Israel and the U.S., our cooperation with <a href="https://twitter.com/iaeaorg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iaeaorg</a> will be channeled through Iran&#39;s… <a href="https://t.co/i1995s6Z6m">https://t.co/i1995s6Z6m</a>&mdash; Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) <a href="https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/1940751516115083395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This comes a day after state media reported that Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has granted final approval to a law to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. "Masoud Pezeshkian promulgated the law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency," state TV said.This further follows after the recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities including Esfahan, Fordow, and Natanz, during its 12-day war with Iran.The Iranian foreign minister in his post stressed that the "reality" is, "To Iranians, &nbsp;what truly "sends a devastating message" and destroys "a diplomatic solution" is very obvious."Targeting Germany for its support to Israel during the war, Araghchi continued, "Germany's explicit support for Israel's unlawful attack on Iran, including safeguarded nuclear sites, as "dirty work" carried out on behalf of the West.He added that Germany also shamefully supported the unlawful US attack against Iranian nuclear facilities, which "violated international law, the NPT, and the UN Charter."The foreign minister continued, "Germany's repudiation of its JCPOA commitments by openly demanding "zero enrichment" in Iran."Araghchi responded to the German Foreign Office's post which they shared on Wednesday, stating, "Iran's decision to suspend cooperation with @iaeaorg sends a devastating message: it eliminates any possibility of international oversight of the Iranian nuclear program, which is crucial for a diplomatic solution. #Iran must reverse this decision."Araghchi lambasted that Iranians were already put off by "Germany's Nazi-style backing of Genocide in Gaza, and its support for Sadam’s war on Iran" by providing materials for chemical weapons.He continued to slam Germany for supporting Iran, and said that the explicit German support for the bombing of Iran has "obliterated the notion that the German regime harbors anything but malice towards Iranians."

In a post on X, Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that Iran's cooperation with IAEA will be channeled through Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

A day after reports of Iran suspending cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called it "fake news", saying that Tehran remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has not ended cooperation with the IAEA. In a post on X, Araghchi stated that Iran's cooperation with IAEA will be channeled through Iran's Supreme National Security Council. "Fake news. Iran remains committed to the NPT and its Safeguards Agreement. In accordance with the new legislation by Majlis, sparked by the unlawful attacks against our nuclear facilities by Israel and the U.S., our cooperation with @iaeaorg will be channeled through Iran's Supreme National Security Council for obvious safety and security reasons," he wrote.

In a post on X, Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that Iran's cooperation with IAEA will be channeled through Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

'Fake news': Iran denies ending cooperation with IAEA, lashes out at Germany for supporting Israel and US

The UN nuclear watchdog’s chief, Rafael Mariano Grossi, revealed in an interview on Wednesday that the agency now cannot verify the whereabouts of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile since Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites.&nbsp;Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also told Bloomberg in the interview that no other country in the world is enriching uranium at this level of 60%—which is technically almost equivalent of 90%, which is needed to have a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;On being asked whether Iran’s supply of 60% enriched uranium remains safely located at the underground Isfahan facility, which Israel has repeatedly struck since it began its campaign on Friday, Grossi said, “To say safely, I’m not so sure.”&nbsp;<h2>‘Tehran had warned stockpile could be moved’</h2>&nbsp;Grossi said Tehran had warned him that the stockpile could be moved in the event of an Israeli attack.&nbsp;Some 400 kg of uranium, enough for making 10 nuclear warheads, was previously stored under an IAEA seal in Isfahan.&nbsp;“At a time of war, all nuclear sites are closed,” Grossi said, adding further, “All our inspectors who are still in Iran… are not inspecting, no normal activity can take place.”&nbsp;Grossi then said, “No country in the world is enriching uranium at this level of 60%—which is technically almost equivalent of 90%, which is needed to have a nuclear weapon… Many high officials have said Iran has all the pieces of the puzzle. There has been a lot of ambiguity, and this is never good.”&nbsp;Before Israel’s preemptive strikes on the Islamic Republic, IAEA inspectors visited Iranian nuclear sites more than once a day, but Iran did not inform the IAEA of any “special measures” it planned to take to protect its uranium stockpile from being damaged in an attack, Grossi said.&nbsp;“We haven’t been informed of anything in detail. We don’t know what these protective additional measures to be,” he said.&nbsp;<h2>‘Iran aware its stockpile needs to be under constant IAEA supervision’</h2>&nbsp;“Iran is aware that this stockpile needs to be there under constant IAEA supervision,” Grossi said.&nbsp;Grossi said important facilities at Iran’s Natanz enrichment facility were “badly hit” during Israeli strikes, but there was no significant damage to the site at Fordow.&nbsp;Isfahan has been repeatedly hit, with a few buildings being affected, he added.&nbsp;The IAEA is relying on satellite imagery and has seen no sign of the uranium being moved—which would be a violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, said the Bloomberg report.“It’s important to return to the diplomatic table as soon as possible because what’s at stake is very serious,” Grossi said with concern.&nbsp;Iran’s highly enriched uranium could fit into 16 cylinders measuring 36 inches (91.4 centimetres) in height, according to the US government’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Many high officials have said Iran has all the pieces of the puzzle,” the director general said. “There has been a lot of ambiguity, and this is never good.”

On being asked whether Iran’s supply of 60% enriched uranium remains safely located at the underground Isfahan facility, which Israel has repeatedly struck since it began its campaign on Friday, Grossi said, “To say safely, I’m not so sure.”

The UN nuclear watchdog’s chief, Rafael Mariano Grossi, revealed in an interview on Wednesday that the agency now cannot verify the whereabouts of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile since Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also told Bloomberg in the interview that no other country in the world is enriching uranium at this level of 60%—which is technically almost equivalent of 90%, which is needed to have a nuclear weapon. On being asked whether Iran’s supply of 60% enriched uranium remains safely located at the underground Isfahan facility, which Israel has repeatedly struck since it began its campaign on Friday, Grossi said, “To say safely, I’m not so sure.” ‘Tehran had warned stockpile could be moved’ Grossi said Tehran had warned him that the stockpile could be moved in the event of an Israeli attack. Some 400 kg of uranium, enough for making 10 nuclear warheads, was previously stored under an IAEA seal in Isfahan. “At a time of war, all nuclear sites are closed,” Grossi said, adding further, “All our inspectors who are still in Iran… are not inspecting, no normal activity can take place.” Grossi then said, “No country in the world is enriching uranium at this level of 60%—which is technically almost equivalent of 90%, which is needed to have a nuclear weapon… Many high officials have said Iran has all the pieces of the puzzle. There has been a lot of ambiguity, and this is never good.” Before Israel’s preemptive strikes on the Islamic Republic, IAEA inspectors visited Iranian nuclear sites more than once a day, but Iran did not inform the IAEA of any “special measures” it planned to take to protect its uranium stockpile from being damaged in an attack, Grossi said. “We haven’t been informed of anything in detail. We don’t know what these protective additional measures to be,” he said. ‘Iran aware its stockpile needs to be under constant IAEA supervision’ “Iran is aware that this stockpile needs to be there under constant IAEA supervision,” Grossi said. Grossi said important facilities at Iran’s Natanz enrichment facility were “badly hit” during Israeli strikes, but there was no significant damage to the site at Fordow. Isfahan has been repeatedly hit, with a few buildings being affected, he added. The IAEA is relying on satellite imagery and has seen no sign of the uranium being moved—which would be a violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, said the Bloomberg report. “It’s important to return to the diplomatic table as soon as possible because what’s at stake is very serious,” Grossi said with concern. Iran’s highly enriched uranium could fit into 16 cylinders measuring 36 inches (91.4 centimetres) in height, according to the US government’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information. “Many high officials have said Iran has all the pieces of the puzzle,” the director general said. “There has been a lot of ambiguity, and this is never good.”

On being asked whether Iran’s supply of 60% enriched uranium remains safely located at the underground Isfahan facility, which Israel has repeatedly struck since it began its campaign on Friday, Grossi said, “To say safely, I’m not so sure.”

‘Not aware of Iran’s near-weapons-grade uranium stockpile location now’: IAEA chief

The UN’s atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Tuesday (June 17) it now believes that the Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s Natanz enrichment site had “direct impacts” on the facility’s underground centrifuge halls.This is the first time the IAEA has assessed damage from the strikes in the underground parts of Natanz, which is the main enrichment facility of Iran’s nuclear programme.&nbsp;“Based on continued analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday’s attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz,” the International Atomic Energy Agency wrote on X.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Iran: Based on continued analysis of high resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday’s attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz. No change to report at Esfahan and Fordow.&mdash; IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) <a href="https://twitter.com/iaeaorg/status/1934945205574385964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, the IAEA confirmed that one of the above-ground buildings at Natanz—the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant—was destroyed.&nbsp;The attack also damaged the electricity infrastructure, including the main power supply, emergency backup systems, and a substation.&nbsp;<h2>Agency warns of contamination inside the facility</h2>&nbsp;Regarding radiation levels outside Natanz, the UN’s atomic watchdog said they remain unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no radiological impact on the population or the environment from the incident. However, it noted that there is both radiological and chemical contamination inside the facility.The IAEA warned that uranium compounds, like uranium hexafluoride, may have been dispersed and could pose health risks if inhaled or ingested.&nbsp;“The risk can be effectively managed with appropriate protective measures, such as using respiratory protection devices while inside the affected facilities,” it added.&nbsp;The watchdog further said that other major Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Bushehr, Khondab, and the Tehran Research Reactor, have not been damaged. However, four buildings were hit at the Esfahan nuclear site, including a uranium conversion plant and a fuel manufacturing facility.&nbsp;“At the Esfahan nuclear site, four buildings were damaged in Friday’s attack: the central chemical laboratory, a uranium conversion plant, the Tehran reactor fuel manufacturing plant, and the UF4 to EU metal processing facility, which was under construction. As in Natanz, off-site radiation levels remain unchanged,” the IAEA statement said.

The UN’s atomic watchdog said the radiation levels outside Natanz remain unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no radiological impact on the population or the environment from the incident. However, it noted that there is both radiological and chemical contamination inside the facility.

The UN’s atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Tuesday (June 17) it now believes that the Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s Natanz enrichment site had “direct impacts” on the facility’s underground centrifuge halls. This is the first time the IAEA has assessed damage from the strikes in the underground parts of Natanz, which is the main enrichment facility of Iran’s nuclear programme. “Based on continued analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery collected after Friday’s attacks, the IAEA has identified additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls at Natanz,” the International Atomic Energy Agency wrote on X.

The UN’s atomic watchdog said the radiation levels outside Natanz remain unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no radiological impact on the population or the environment from the incident. However, it noted that there is both radiological and chemical contamination inside the facility.

Iran’s underground Natanz site hit during Israeli strikes, says IAEA, warns of contamination inside facility

The UN nuclear watchdog chief said on Monday that it is very likely all the roughly 15,000 centrifuges operating at Iran’s biggest uranium enrichment plant at Natanz were badly damaged or destroyed because of a power cut caused by an Israeli strike.&nbsp;The International Atomic Energy Agency and its Director General Rafael Grossi had earlier said the centrifuges at the underground enrichment plant at Natanz may have been damaged as a result of an airstrike on its power supply, even though the hall housing the plant itself did not seem to have been hit.&nbsp;“Our assessment is that with this sudden loss of external power, in great probability the centrifuges have been severely damaged if not destroyed altogether,” Grossi said in an interview with the BBC.“I think there has been damage inside,” he said.&nbsp;Israel’s airstrikes have put at least two of Iran’s three operating uranium enrichment plants out of action.Power cuts pose a grave threat to the fragile, finely balanced machines that spin at extremely high speeds.&nbsp;The above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Natanz was destroyed, said Grossi repeating his update to an exceptional meeting of his agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors hours earlier.&nbsp;Grossi further told the board that no damage was seen at the separate Fordow enrichment plant dug deep into a mountain. He later told the BBC, “There is very limited, if any, damage registered (there).”&nbsp;While the IAEA has not been able to carry out inspections since the attacks, it makes extensive use of satellite imagery.Grossi shared details on the damage to the four buildings at the Isfahan nuclear complex, including a uranium-conversion facility that turns ‘yellowcake’ uranium into uranium hexafluoride, the feedstock for centrifuges, so it can be enriched to higher fissile purity.&nbsp;“Four buildings were damaged in Friday’s attack: the central chemical laboratory, a uranium conversion plant, the Tehran reactor fuel manufacturing plant, and the UF4 (uranium tetrafluoride) to EU (enriched uranium) metal processing facility, which was under construction,” he said.&nbsp;“In Isfahan you have underground spaces as well, which do not seem to have been affected,” said Grossi, adding further details while speaking to BBC.A Reuters report, citing a senior diplomat, said that the underground spaces are where much of Iran’s most highly enriched uranium stock is stored, but it will need closer examination to fully assess the situation there.

Israel’s airstrikes have put at least two of Iran’s three operating uranium enrichment plants out of action, said Grossi. Power cuts pose a grave threat to the fragile, finely balanced machines that spin at extremely high speeds.

The UN nuclear watchdog chief said on Monday that it is very likely all the roughly 15,000 centrifuges operating at Iran’s biggest uranium enrichment plant at Natanz were badly damaged or destroyed because of a power cut caused by an Israeli strike. The International Atomic Energy Agency and its Director General Rafael Grossi had earlier said the centrifuges at the underground enrichment plant at Natanz may have been damaged as a result of an airstrike on its power supply, even though the hall housing the plant itself did not seem to have been hit. “Our assessment is that with this sudden loss of external power, in great probability the centrifuges have been severely damaged if not destroyed altogether,” Grossi said in an interview with the BBC. “I think there has been damage inside,” he said. Israel’s airstrikes have put at least two of Iran’s three operating uranium enrichment plants out of action. Power cuts pose a grave threat to the fragile, finely balanced machines that spin at extremely high speeds. The above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Natanz was destroyed, said Grossi repeating his update to an exceptional meeting of his agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors hours earlier. Grossi further told the board that no damage was seen at the separate Fordow enrichment plant dug deep into a mountain. He later told the BBC, “There is very limited, if any, damage registered (there).” While the IAEA has not been able to carry out inspections since the attacks, it makes extensive use of satellite imagery. Grossi shared details on the damage to the four buildings at the Isfahan nuclear complex, including a uranium-conversion facility that turns ‘yellowcake’ uranium into uranium hexafluoride, the feedstock for centrifuges, so it can be enriched to higher fissile purity. “Four buildings were damaged in Friday’s attack: the central chemical laboratory, a uranium conversion plant, the Tehran reactor fuel manufacturing plant, and the UF4 (uranium tetrafluoride) to EU (enriched uranium) metal processing facility, which was under construction,” he said. “In Isfahan you have underground spaces as well, which do not seem to have been affected,” said Grossi, adding further details while speaking to BBC. A Reuters report, citing a senior diplomat, said that the underground spaces are where much of Iran’s most highly enriched uranium stock is stored, but it will need closer examination to fully assess the situation there.

Israel’s airstrikes have put at least two of Iran’s three operating uranium enrichment plants out of action, said Grossi. Power cuts pose a grave threat to the fragile, finely balanced machines that spin at extremely high speeds.

IAEA chief: Machines at Iran’s main enrichment plant at Natanz very likely ‘severely damaged’

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, slammed the United Nations Security Council on Sunday, accusing it of “indifference” over Israel’s attacks on Iran.During a meeting with foreign diplomats that was aired on state TV, Araghchi said the Israeli attack “is being met with indifference at the Security Council”, adding that Western governments have “condemned Iran instead of Israel despite it being the side that was violated”.Araghchi then said that Iran’s attacks on Israel will end when its “aggression stops”.He also claimed that Tehran had evidence to show US forces supported the intense bombardment that Israel launched against the Islamic republic this week.“We have solid proof of the support of the American forces and American bases in the region for the attacks of the Zionist regime military forces,” Araghchi said.&nbsp;<h2>Iran slams IAEA for being ‘silent’ on Israeli strikes, says ‘will limit cooperation’</h2>&nbsp;Earlier, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi had criticised the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its silence over Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and said that Iran will limit its cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog.&nbsp;“It makes no sense that these peaceful sites come under attack and that the agency remains silent,” said Gharibabadi.&nbsp;“Iran will no longer cooperate with the agency… as it once did,” he added.&nbsp;<h2>Iran’s above-ground enrichment plant at Natanz destroyed: IAEA chief</h2>&nbsp;Meanwhile, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council on Friday that the above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site has been destroyed.&nbsp;“At present, the Iranian authorities are informing us of attacks on two other facilities, namely the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan,” Grossi told the 15-member council.“At this moment, we do not have enough information beyond indicating that military activity has taken place around these facilities as well.”&nbsp;IAEA also confirmed that Israel struck Iran’s uranium-conversion facility at Isfahan, near Tehran, and caused grave damage to the site.&nbsp;Iran converts uranium into feedstock essential for centrifuges at Isfahan.&nbsp;However, the attack did not take out the primary underground halls, the site for uranium enrichment.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, also claimed that Tehran had evidence to show that the US forces supported the intense bombardment that Israel launched against the Islamic republic this week.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, slammed the United Nations Security Council on Sunday, accusing it of “indifference” over Israel’s attacks on Iran. During a meeting with foreign diplomats that was aired on state TV, Araghchi said the Israeli attack “is being met with indifference at the Security Council”, adding that Western governments have “condemned Iran instead of Israel despite it being the side that was violated”. Araghchi then said that Iran’s attacks on Israel will end when its “aggression stops”. He also claimed that Tehran had evidence to show US forces supported the intense bombardment that Israel launched against the Islamic republic this week. “We have solid proof of the support of the American forces and American bases in the region for the attacks of the Zionist regime military forces,” Araghchi said. Iran slams IAEA for being ‘silent’ on Israeli strikes, says ‘will limit cooperation’ Earlier, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi had criticised the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its silence over Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and said that Iran will limit its cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog. “It makes no sense that these peaceful sites come under attack and that the agency remains silent,” said Gharibabadi. “Iran will no longer cooperate with the agency… as it once did,” he added. Iran’s above-ground enrichment plant at Natanz destroyed: IAEA chief Meanwhile, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council on Friday that the above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site has been destroyed. “At present, the Iranian authorities are informing us of attacks on two other facilities, namely the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan,” Grossi told the 15-member council. “At this moment, we do not have enough information beyond indicating that military activity has taken place around these facilities as well.” IAEA also confirmed that Israel struck Iran’s uranium-conversion facility at Isfahan, near Tehran, and caused grave damage to the site. Iran converts uranium into feedstock essential for centrifuges at Isfahan. However, the attack did not take out the primary underground halls, the site for uranium enrichment.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, also claimed that Tehran had evidence to show that the US forces supported the intense bombardment that Israel launched against the Islamic republic this week.

After slamming IAEA, Iran accuses UN Security Council of ‘indifference’ over Israel attacks

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that in case of any politically motivated move from some governments on the Board of Governors regarding two alleged unproven issues will create challenges in Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).&nbsp;"If any specific action is taken in the Board of Governors, Iran will take the necessary measures regarding its nuclear activities and the UN nuclear watchdog's access (to its sites)," said Minister Kazem GharibabadiHe made this remark on Tuesday (June 3) following meetings with ambassadors of the 17 member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors, ambassadors of Russia and China, and subsequently with the ambassadors of Germany, the United Kingdom, and France.&nbsp;He mentioned that Iran remains a committed member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty&nbsp;(NPT) of the Nuclear Weapon and implements the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and cooperates extensively with the Agency in implementing its obligations under this agreement."Iran has so far not changed its access to the Agency or its implementation of safeguards obligations following the assassination of nuclear scientists, sabotage of nuclear facilities and threats to attack them, and the suspension of the implementation of the obligations of the other parties under the JCPOA, but this situation cannot continue." read the post.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">امروز در نشست‌های جداگانه ابتدا با سفرای ۱۷ دولت عضو شورای حکام آژانس بین‌المللی انرژی اتمی و سپس با سفرای روسیه و چین و متعاقبا با سفرای آلمان، انگلستان و فرانسه، مواضع جمهوری اسلامی ایران را درخصوص گزارش مدیرکل آژانس و نشست آتی شورای حکام آژانس تبیین نموده و به سوالات مطروحه از… <a href="https://t.co/3LwxByBQC3">pic.twitter.com/3LwxByBQC3</a>&mdash; Gharibabadi (@Gharibabadi) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gharibabadi/status/1929920206660338005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He urged the Board of Governors to adopt a constructive approach to maintaining and expanding cooperation between Iran and the IAEA by opposing any political action.&nbsp;On Sunday (June 1), the IAEA claimed in a report that Iran has enriched Uranium to 60 per cent purity and has not reported details about enrichment in three different facilities. He dismissed that report, saying that the fabricated data was from two decades ago.&nbsp;

Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, Kazem Gharibabadi, said that Iran remains a committed member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, but in case of any politically motivated move from the Board of Governors, Iran will be compelled to restrict access to the IAEA.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned that in case of any politically motivated move from some governments on the Board of Governors regarding two alleged unproven issues will create challenges in Iran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "If any specific action is taken in the Board of Governors, Iran will take the necessary measures regarding its nuclear activities and the UN nuclear watchdog's access (to its sites)," said Minister Kazem Gharibabadi He made this remark on Tuesday (June 3) following meetings with ambassadors of the 17 member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors, ambassadors of Russia and China, and subsequently with the ambassadors of Germany, the United Kingdom, and France. He mentioned that Iran remains a committed member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of the Nuclear Weapon and implements the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and cooperates extensively with the Agency in implementing its obligations under this agreement. "Iran has so far not changed its access to the Agency or its implementation of safeguards obligations following the assassination of nuclear scientists, sabotage of nuclear facilities and threats to attack them, and the suspension of the implementation of the obligations of the other parties under the JCPOA, but this situation cannot continue." read the post.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, Kazem Gharibabadi, said that Iran remains a committed member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, but in case of any politically motivated move from the Board of Governors, Iran will be compelled to restrict access to the IAEA.

Iran warns to withdraw access to IAEA in case of a politically motivated move

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog, has revealed in its latest report that Iran has increased its production of enriched uranium in the recent months and produced highly enriched uranium during its ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States, multiple news agencies reported, citing the confidential report, on Saturday.The IAEA quarterly report expressed “serious concern” over the estimated 408.6 kg (around 900 lbs) uranium enriched to 60% as of May 17, marking an increase of 133.8 kg since the previous report in February.&nbsp;The 408 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity is well above the level used for civilian purposes and close to weapons grade, and a near 50% increase in quantity over the past three months.It is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined, making Iran the only non-nuclear-armed state producing uranium at this level.&nbsp;Theoretically, approximately 42 kg of 60% enriched uranium is enough to produce one atomic bomb if it is further enriched to 90%.Iran has produced highly enriched uranium during the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.“The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran... is of serious concern,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. &nbsp;The IAEA’s latest assessment, longer and more comprehensive than usual, also details troubling findings about Iran's past nuclear work. It concluded that Tehran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three previously unknown sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin and Turquzabad.&nbsp;IAEA chief Matteo Grossi said earlier that Iran could make several nuclear bombs if it decided to do so.Iran has constantly denied any intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, but the IAEA specifically stressed that no other non-nuclear state has enriched uranium to 60%.&nbsp;<h2>Iran’s cooperation ‘less than satisfactory’: IAEA</h2>&nbsp;The nuclear watchdog also criticised Iran for its “less than satisfactory” cooperation in a separate in-depth report.“While Iran continues to cooperate with the agency on matters of routine safeguards implementation, in a number of respects... its cooperation with the agency has been less than satisfactory,” the report said.“In particular, Iran has repeatedly either not answered, or not provided technically credible answers to, the agency’s questions and has sanitised locations as listed in this report, which has impeded agency verification activities,” it added.Grossi said Saturday that he “reiterates his urgent call upon Iran to cooperate fully and effectively” with the IAEA’s ongoing investigation.&nbsp;Iran’s nuclear programme has been a major focus of US foreign policy for years. The two sides reached an agreement in 2015 that saw the easing of US sanctions in exchange for limits to Iran’s nuclear programme, but the deal was torpedoed by President Donald Trump when he unilaterally withdrew from it in his first term.Trump has been showing a renewed interest in reaching a deal with Iran in his second term.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office was quick to respond to the IAEA report on Sunday, saying it was a clear warning sign that “Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons programme.”&nbsp;It said the IAEA’s report “strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years—the purpose of Iran’s nuclear programme is not peaceful.”&nbsp;<h2>Iran condemns IAEA report, calls it ‘political, unbalanced’</h2>&nbsp;Iran's foreign ministry denounced as "political" and unbalanced a report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog saying Tehran had stepped up production of highly enriched uranium. &nbsp;"The structure and content of this report... which was prepared for political purposes... are not balanced and lack a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the factors affecting the current situation," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The 408 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity is well above the level used for civilian purposes and close to weapons grade, and a near 50% increase in quantity over the past three months. It is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog, has revealed in its latest report that Iran has increased its production of enriched uranium in the recent months and produced highly enriched uranium during its ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States, multiple news agencies reported, citing the confidential report, on Saturday. The IAEA quarterly report expressed “serious concern” over the estimated 408.6 kg (around 900 lbs) uranium enriched to 60% as of May 17, marking an increase of 133.8 kg since the previous report in February. The 408 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity is well above the level used for civilian purposes and close to weapons grade, and a near 50% increase in quantity over the past three months. It is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined, making Iran the only non-nuclear-armed state producing uranium at this level. Theoretically, approximately 42 kg of 60% enriched uranium is enough to produce one atomic bomb if it is further enriched to 90%. Iran has produced highly enriched uranium during the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington. “The significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran... is of serious concern,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. The IAEA’s latest assessment, longer and more comprehensive than usual, also details troubling findings about Iran's past nuclear work. It concluded that Tehran conducted undeclared nuclear activities at three previously unknown sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin and Turquzabad. IAEA chief Matteo Grossi said earlier that Iran could make several nuclear bombs if it decided to do so. Iran has constantly denied any intention of acquiring nuclear weapons, but the IAEA specifically stressed that no other non-nuclear state has enriched uranium to 60%. Iran’s cooperation ‘less than satisfactory’: IAEA The nuclear watchdog also criticised Iran for its “less than satisfactory” cooperation in a separate in-depth report. “While Iran continues to cooperate with the agency on matters of routine safeguards implementation, in a number of respects... its cooperation with the agency has been less than satisfactory,” the report said. “In particular, Iran has repeatedly either not answered, or not provided technically credible answers to, the agency’s questions and has sanitised locations as listed in this report, which has impeded agency verification activities,” it added. Grossi said Saturday that he “reiterates his urgent call upon Iran to cooperate fully and effectively” with the IAEA’s ongoing investigation. Iran’s nuclear programme has been a major focus of US foreign policy for years. The two sides reached an agreement in 2015 that saw the easing of US sanctions in exchange for limits to Iran’s nuclear programme, but the deal was torpedoed by President Donald Trump when he unilaterally withdrew from it in his first term. Trump has been showing a renewed interest in reaching a deal with Iran in his second term. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office was quick to respond to the IAEA report on Sunday, saying it was a clear warning sign that “Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons programme.” It said the IAEA’s report “strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years—the purpose of Iran’s nuclear programme is not peaceful.” Iran condemns IAEA report, calls it ‘political, unbalanced’ Iran's foreign ministry denounced as "political" and unbalanced a report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog saying Tehran had stepped up production of highly enriched uranium. "The structure and content of this report... which was prepared for political purposes... are not balanced and lack a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the factors affecting the current situation," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

The 408 kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity is well above the level used for civilian purposes and close to weapons grade, and a near 50% increase in quantity over the past three months. It is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined.&nbsp;

Iran upped enriched uranium production amid ongoing nuclear talks with US: IAEA

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, warned on Wednesday that Iran is not far off from making its own nuclear weapons.
The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived in Tehran for talks with senior officials after indicating that Iran is no longer far from achieving full nuclear weapons capability, despite not yet officially possessing a nuclear bomb.
Speaking to the French daily Le Monde ahead of his scheduled visit to Tehran in an exclusive interview, Grossi said, &ldquo;Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapon, but it is very close to reaching that point.&rdquo;
Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-slaps-sanctions-on-chinese-refinery-for-buying-iranian-crude-oil-worth-over-1bn-8970171">US slaps sanctions on Chinese refinery for buying Iranian crude oil worth over $1bn</a> Grossi emphasised that Iran has already developed all the technical components necessary to construct a nuclear bomb. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s no longer sufficient for Tehran to merely tell the international community that its uranium enrichment programme is for peaceful purposes,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp; &ldquo;Such claims must now be substantiated with action and verified transparency.&rdquo;
On the possibility of Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons, Grossi told French daily Le Monde, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s like a jigsaw puzzle, they have the pieces and one day they can put it all together. There is a way to go to achieve this. But they are not far from it, we have to accept that. In the last four years, we have seen a remarkable acceleration in Iran in this area.&rdquo;
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Emphasizing that the IAEA should be included in the dialogue process between Iran and the US on Iran&rsquo;s nuclear activities, Grossi said, &ldquo;They know that we will have to give our opinion on a possible agreement because it will be up to us to check up on it.&rdquo;
Grossi is set to hold talks with Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the head of Iran&rsquo;s Atomic Energy Organisation, Mohammad Eslami.
The visit comes at a sensitive time amid escalating international concerns over Tehran&rsquo;s nuclear trajectory.&nbsp; The IAEA chief&rsquo;s remarks mark one of the strongest warnings yet about Iran&rsquo;s potential to become a nuclear-armed state, underscoring the urgency of renewed diplomacy and concrete de-escalation measures.
Grossi&rsquo;s visit is expected to focus on restoring the agency&rsquo;s access to nuclear sites, verifying Iran&rsquo;s uranium enrichment levels, and ensuring transparency in Iran&rsquo;s atomic programme.
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stop-threatening-china-warns-after-us-slaps-beijing-with-whopping-245-tariffs-donald-trump-trade-war-imports-8968395" rel="noopener" target="_blank">'Stop threatening': China warns after US slaps Beijing with whopping 245% tariffs</a>
The international community, particularly signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), remains deeply alarmed by Iran&rsquo;s growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its refusal to fully cooperate with IAEA monitoring efforts.

World: Speaking to the French daily Le Monde ahead of his scheduled visit to Tehran in an exclusive interview, Grossi said, “Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapon, but it is very close to reaching that point.”

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, warned on Wednesday that Iran is not far off from making its own nuclear weapons. The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) arrived in Tehran for talks with senior officials after indicating that Iran is no longer far from achieving full nuclear weapons capability, despite not yet officially possessing a nuclear bomb. Speaking to the French daily Le Monde ahead of his scheduled visit to Tehran in an exclusive interview, Grossi said, “Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapon, but it is very close to reaching that point.” Also Read | US slaps sanctions on Chinese refinery for buying Iranian crude oil worth over $1bn Grossi emphasised that Iran has already developed all the technical components necessary to construct a nuclear bomb. “It’s no longer sufficient for Tehran to merely tell the international community that its uranium enrichment programme is for peaceful purposes,” he said. “Such claims must now be substantiated with action and verified transparency.” On the possibility of Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons, Grossi told French daily Le Monde, “It’s like a jigsaw puzzle, they have the pieces and one day they can put it all together. There is a way to go to achieve this. But they are not far from it, we have to accept that. In the last four years, we have seen a remarkable acceleration in Iran in this area.” Also Read | Amid ongoing tariff war, China accuses US of cyberattacks, issues arrest warrants for 3 NSA ‘agents’ Emphasizing that the IAEA should be included in the dialogue process between Iran and the US on Iran’s nuclear activities, Grossi said, “They know that we will have to give our opinion on a possible agreement because it will be up to us to check up on it.” Grossi is set to hold talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, Mohammad Eslami. The visit comes at a sensitive time amid escalating international concerns over Tehran’s nuclear trajectory. The IAEA chief’s remarks mark one of the strongest warnings yet about Iran’s potential to become a nuclear-armed state, underscoring the urgency of renewed diplomacy and concrete de-escalation measures. Grossi’s visit is expected to focus on restoring the agency’s access to nuclear sites, verifying Iran’s uranium enrichment levels, and ensuring transparency in Iran’s atomic programme. Also read | 'Stop threatening': China warns after US slaps Beijing with whopping 245% tariffs The international community, particularly signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), remains deeply alarmed by Iran’s growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its refusal to fully cooperate with IAEA monitoring efforts.

‘Iran not far from having a nuclear bomb,’ warns UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi

Tensions between the US and Iran reach a boiling point as Supreme Leader Khamenei vows retaliation against any strike. President Trump warns of military action if Iran advances its nuclear program. Meanwhile, reports suggest Iran has deployed missiles in underground facilities, raising concerns of a potential conflict.

IAEA: Iran capable of creating weapons-grade uranium

In response to censure from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has activated advanced centrifuges, escalating concerns over its nuclear program. The move marks a significant step in tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear activities.

Iran-Israel War: Iran Activates 'Advanced' Centrifuges Following IAEA Censure

Iran has said it will activate “new and advanced” centrifuges in response to a resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board censuring it for lack of cooperation. Watch this report for more details!

After IAEA Censure, Iran to Launch Advanced Centrifuges

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