IAEA says no evidence Iran is building a nuclear bomb

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has said there is no evidence that Iran is currently building a nuclear bomb, while warning that unresolved issues surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme remain a serious concern.

Speaking in remarks reported on Tuesday evening, Grossi said Iran possesses a large stockpile of enriched uranium that has reached levels close to weapons-grade. However, he stressed that the agency has not found proof that Iran is developing a nuclear weapon.

Grossi noted that Iran’s refusal to grant full access to international inspectors has heightened concerns within the agency. He warned that without cooperation from Tehran in addressing outstanding questions, the IAEA would not be able to provide assurances that Iran’s nuclear programme is entirely peaceful.

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The comments come amid escalating tensions following the outbreak of hostilities between Iran, the United States and Israel last Saturday, reportedly triggered after negotiations over the nuclear programme failed to produce an agreement.

Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr al-Busaidi, said one day before the conflict began that Iran had agreed in principle not to retain enriched uranium as part of ongoing diplomatic discussions. According to al-Busaidi, the proposal included relinquishing enriched material and ensuring that no nuclear fuel would be stockpiled, with verification mechanisms in place.

US President Donald Trump, however, insisted that Iran should not enrich uranium at all, including at levels below weapons-grade, reiterating Washington’s long-standing demand that Tehran completely halt enrichment activities.

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