WANA (Apr 14) – Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that Iran’s nuclear program cannot be stopped through military means, emphasizing that there is no evidence of a systematic effort by Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

 

In an interview with The Economist, Grossi underscored that military approaches are ineffective in addressing Iran’s nuclear activities. He also called on Iran to facilitate access for IAEA inspectors to uranium-related facilities at appropriate times.

 

Rejecting claims that Iran is close to producing a nuclear bomb, Grossi said that the country has “never been just weeks or months away” from acquiring such a weapon. He added that while the agency has requested greater cooperation from Iran to resolve outstanding issues, the level of cooperation has not met expectations.

 

Grossi further noted that, based on the agency’s technical assessments, there is no clear or organized program in Iran aimed at building nuclear weapons.

 

These remarks come amid repeated claims by U.S. President Donald Trump and some of his allies that Iran is nearing nuclear weapons capability—assertions that Grossi’s statements appear to challenge.