IAEA Chief Urges Strict Nuclear Checks in US–Iran Deal
Rafael Grossi has warned that any future agreement between the United States and Iran must include rigorous monitoring of Tehran’s nuclear programme, as diplomatic efforts to revive talks remain stalled.
Speaking in Seoul, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said that without «very detailed» verification measures and on-the-ground inspections, any deal would lack credibility.
«Otherwise, you will not have an agreement. You will have an illusion of an agreement,» he stressed.
His comments come after initial high-level negotiations between Washington and Tehran failed to produce a breakthrough, with both sides clashing over limits on uranium enrichment and inspection access. An earlier IAEA report noted that Iran had restricted access to certain nuclear sites, preventing inspectors from confirming the status of its activities.
The debate has intensified following resurfaced remarks by former Iranian deputy parliament speaker Ali Motahari, who acknowledged in a past interview that Iran initially pursued nuclear weapons for deterrence purposes. The statement appears to contradict long-standing official claims that the programme has always been peaceful.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions date back decades, including the covert «Amad Plan,» which focused on weapons design and testing before being halted. Despite this, Tehran has continued expanding its enrichment capacity, installing thousands of centrifuges over the years.
With direct talks at an impasse, both sides are now reassessing their strategies. Iran is reportedly looking to European intermediaries to revive negotiations, while geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, continue to raise the stakes for global energy markets.
