Rafael Grossi, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warns that Iran and the United States are running out of time to reach a nuclear agreement.
These comments will precede a second-round talk scheduled for Saturday between Rome’s Tehran and Washington, and Oman will serve as a mediator.
Grossi, who leads the IAEA, is responsible for monitoring the nature of Iran’s nuclear program, but during a visit to Tehran on Thursday, he said, “We are at a critical stage in these important negotiations.”
Talking to some Iranian state media, he said, “I know that time is short, so this is why I am here… to promote the process.”
His remarks were later confirmed by the headquarters of the IAEA in Vienna.
He also emphasized that UN agencies must play an active role in negotiations.
“I also keep in touch with American negotiators and explore how the agency acts as a bridge between Iran and the US, helping us reach positive results,” Grossi said.
On Thursday morning, Grossi met with Mohamad Eslami, head of Iran’s atomic energy organization, but details of the meeting have not been announced.
The Daily Newspaper Shargh reported, “This visit marks the beginning of a delicate chapter in Iran’s diplomacy.”
In an interview with Le Monde released on Wednesday, Grossi said it was “not too far” because Iran is unable to produce nuclear bombs. He said: “There’s still a distance, but I have to admit that it’s not far.”
Grossi also mentioned the previous day about the role of the agency in negotiations, “No matter the nature of the discussion, everyone agrees that institutional involvement is essential. Without our presence, agreement is merely a paper sheet.”
Will you limit or dismantle Iran’s nuclear program?
After arriving in Iran on Wednesday, Grossi also held a meeting with Abbas Aragchi, head of Iran’s nuclear negotiation team, and Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Galibabadi.
On Thursday, Araguchi described the meeting with Grossi on social media platform X as a “constructive discussion,” adding, “In the coming months, agents can play a key role in the peaceful resolution of Iran’s nuclear files.”
US negotiator Steve Witkov said Tuesday that Iran “must halt and dismantle nuclear enrichment and military programs.”
But even in private regions, Tehran considers a complete halt of its nuclear activity as a “red line.”
Witkov, who had been calling for restrictions on Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities on Monday, declined to seek a complete dismantling of the nuclear program.
Araguchi in Moscow
Prior to negotiations on Saturday, Iran’s foreign minister traveled to Moscow on Thursday.
Araguchi said the main purpose of his visit was to “convey the written message” from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to Vladimir Putin.
This coincides with “recent development and indirect negotiations” between Iran and the United States. He said, “We have always had close consultations with our Russian friends about the nuclear issue, and now it’s a good opportunity to continue discussions with Russian officials.”
Russia is one of the original signatories of the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran.
Under the landmark agreement, Iran received sanctions relief in exchange for restrictions on nuclear activity, but after the US withdrawal in 2018, the agreement effectively collapsed.
The IAEA confirmed that Iran was complying with its commitment to the deal until the US withdraws.
Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January, has expressed interest in negotiating a new contract with Iran, but warns that if diplomacy fails, the US may resort to bombing the country.
According to the IAEA, Iran is the only country that enriches uranium to 60% despite not owning nuclear weapons, at a level that is dangerously close to the 90% required to produce nuclear bombs.
At the same time, Tehran continues to stockpile large amounts of fission material.
The 2015 nuclear agreement limited Iran’s uranium enrichment to 3.67%.
