WANA (Feb 14) – Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, said Iran’s right to pursue peaceful nuclear activities must be acknowledged, stressing that a negotiated agreement with the United States remains technically possible.

 

Speaking on Friday at the Munich Security Conference, Grossi said that “since the 12-day war, the situation has changed profoundly,” but added that reaching an agreement in negotiations with Washington is still feasible from a technical standpoint.

 

According to reports, Grossi stated that “in order to reach an agreement, there must be a way out,” noting that Tehran “intends to continue its peaceful nuclear activities and we must recognize this right.”

 

Referring to the agency’s monitoring activities, Grossi said inspectors have “returned to Iran” and have been able to verify “everything except the facilities that were attacked.”

 

“We cannot say that we are not present. We have returned, and that is important,” he added.

 

The IAEA chief also rejected claims that the recent conflict marked a definitive end to international oversight in Iran. “Some have said that this war is over and you will never again see inspections in Iran, but we have managed to re-enter into dialogue,” Grossi said.

 

He concluded by stating that the key question now is “how the next steps are defined.” Grossi assured that the agency “fully knows what needs to be monitored and how this monitoring should be carried out,” but emphasized that the current regional and diplomatic context remains highly sensitive.

People walk past a billboard with a picture of nuclear scientists killed in Israeli strikes and Iranian centrifuges, on a street in Tehran, Iran, August 29, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)