The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Rafael Grossi, has cautioned that an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities could drive Tehran closer to developing nuclear weapons(nuclear armament). Grossi made the remarks as indirect talks between the US and Iran continue through Omani mediation. “A strike could potentially have an amalgamating effect, solidifying Iran’s determination… to pursue a nuclear weapon or withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,” Grossi said.
Grossi’s warning comes as Iran prepares to submit a counterproposal for a new nuclear deal to the US. Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei criticized the US offer, stating it lacks key elements and fails to address sanctions relief, a longstanding demand from Tehran. “We will soon submit our own proposed plan to the other side through Oman once it is finalized,” Baghaei said.
The US proposal, presented on June 1, seeks to halt all uranium enrichment by Iran and establish a regional nuclear power consortium involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab states. However, Iran has insisted it will not dismantle infrastructure built at significant national expense, especially given its exposure to repeated sabotage by Israeli and American intelligence services.
The IAEA has reported a sharp increase in Tehran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, with the agency describing Iran’s cooperation as “less than satisfactory.” The US and Iran are trying to strike a new nuclear deal after the 2015 agreement was abandoned by US President Donald Trump in 2018. Former President Trump recently said he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to jeopardize the fragile negotiations, stating, “I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we’re very close to a solution.”
The next round of indirect negotiations is expected to take place soon, with talks ongoing between the two sides. However, the timeline remains unclear.