Nuclear Watchdog Warns of Iran Conflict, Urges Trump Engagement
The head of the world’s nuclear watchdog agency has warned that Iran must reach an understanding with the newly inaugurated administration of US President Donald Trump on its nuclear program to avoid the risk of another military conflict in the Middle East, Bloomberg reports.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), made the remarks Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, emphasizing the urgent need for a diplomatic solution as Iran’s stockpile of near-bomb-grade enriched uranium continues to surge.
Grossi referenced the 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump unilaterally withdrew from six and a half years ago.
“There was an agreement that existed before President Trump decided that was not the path he wanted to follow. Now we need to come to terms with how we deal with this, excluding of course, a war. We don’t want more wars,” he said.
The IAEA chief confirmed that Iran is producing substantial quantities of highly-enriched uranium. He revealed that in December, Tehran significantly increased its enrichment capacity sevenfold to approximately 34 kilograms (75 pounds) per month, a response to diplomatic censure it faced in November.
While the IAEA is engaging with Russia, China, and European countries, Grossi stressed that “the US is indispensable” in finding a resolution.
President Trump’s administration is reportedly already preparing a return to a “maximum pressure” strategy towards Iran. Sources indicate that new sanctions targeting major players in Iran’s oil industry could be implemented as early as February.
Adding to the pressure, France, Germany, and the UK are also preparing to escalate action against Iran, having directed IAEA inspectors to produce a special report on Iran’s nuclear activities in the first half of 2025. This report is slated to be shared with the United Nations Security Council, which may choose to reimpose UN sanctions before they expire in October.
Grossi emphasized the need to “put this back on track,” and expressed his hope to meet with the Trump administration “very, very soon,” signaling the urgency of the situation.
