nuclear-news

UN nuclear chief says military action cannot destroy Iran nuclear program

Iran International, 5 Oct 25

ilitary strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites would have only short-term effects and fail to destroy its capabilities, the UN atomic watchdog chief said, urging diplomacy as the sole path to a lasting solution to concerns over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.

“One thing is clear to me, to Iran, and to those who attacked Iran: a lasting, permanent solution to this situation and to the doubts surrounding Iran’s nuclear program can only be diplomatic,” Rafael Grossi said on a podcast hosted by Colombia’s Innovation for Development Foundation on Friday.

“Although attacks or military action may have short-term effects, the technical and technological capabilities exist — what was destroyed can be rebuilt,” he added.

“I always remind all the parties involved that beyond missiles and bombs, the only lasting solution will have to be some form of new agreement to restore lost trust.”

Talks between Tehran and Western powers over the country’s nuclear program remain stalled.

A sixth round of indirect US-Iran talks was suspended in June after Israel and the United States struck Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting waves of Iranian missile retaliation against Israel.

A preliminary US Defense Intelligence Agency assessment found the strikes may have delayed Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months, according to a report by Reuters.

However, US President Donald Trump has consistently said Iran’s nuclear facilities targeted in the attacks were “totally obliterated.”……………………………………….

The UN sanctions on Iran were reinstated on September 28 after the UK, France, and Germany (the E3) triggered the snapback mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA).

The E3 said the decision followed “Iran rejecting two offers put on the table by the JCPoA coordinator in 2022 and further expanding its nuclear activities in clear breach of its JCPoA commitments.”

Iran has blamed the failure of the talks on what it calls Western powers’ “excessive demands.” https://www.iranintl.com/en/202510054637

October 7, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international