HomeWorld NewsIran Has Material for Nuclear Bombs but No Plan, Says UN Nuclear Chief

Iran Has Material for Nuclear Bombs but No Plan, Says UN Nuclear Chief

Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson

June 20, 2025

3 min read

Brief

UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi says Iran has material for multiple warheads but no active plan to build a bomb, urging diplomacy amid rising tensions.

As tensions simmer in the Middle East, the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, has revealed a sobering truth: Iran possesses enough material to craft several nuclear warheads. Yet, in an exclusive interview, Grossi emphasized, "There’s no concrete evidence Iran is actively pursuing a nuclear weapon." This distinction is critical as President Donald Trump contemplates supporting Israel’s military efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), oversees global efforts to monitor nuclear activities. Despite Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian facilities, which have disrupted inspections, Grossi relies on satellite imagery to keep tabs on Tehran’s program. When asked if Israel’s attacks have significantly derailed Iran’s nuclear ambitions, he was blunt: "Not really." Physical damage, he noted, doesn’t erase decades of nuclear know-how.

Iran’s nuclear program remains a thorny issue. The IAEA censured Iran on June 12 for non-compliance with safeguards meant to curb weapon development, just before Israel’s latest offensive. Iran, meanwhile, points fingers at Israel for assassinating its nuclear scientists, a pattern spanning years. Yet Grossi remains optimistic about diplomacy, citing productive talks with Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian officials. "A negotiated solution is still possible," he insists, stressing that the window for de-escalation is shrinking but not closed.

The stakes are high. Military action alone, Grossi warns, cannot undo Iran’s nuclear expertise. As global powers and regional players navigate this delicate dance, the world watches, hoping cooler heads prevail.

Topics

Iran nuclear programRafael GrossiIAEADonald TrumpIsrael attacksnuclear diplomacyMiddle East tensionsWorld NewsNuclear PolicyMiddle EastDiplomacy

Editor's Comments

Iran’s got the ingredients for a nuclear cake, but Grossi says they’re not baking yet. Meanwhile, Israel’s playing whack-a-mole with their facilities, and diplomacy’s stuck in the slow cooker. Here’s a thought: maybe Tehran’s just collecting uranium like rare coins—‘Look, but don’t touch!’

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