The Head Of The IAEA Calls Iran "No And Never" Develop Nuclear Weapons

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian when receiving IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi. (Twitter/@rafaelmgrossi)

JAKARTA - Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi said on Wednesday, Iran did not develop nuclear weapons, dismissed what he called a constant misquoting of the agency's position.

Speaking at UN headquarters in New York, he said Tehran was "no, and never," was trying to develop nuclear weapons.

"I want to clarify this," he said, according to Arab News, October 30.

"We often misquoted about this and people say that we've said things we never said," he said.

Grossi, who has led the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency since 2019, said cooperation between Iran and the IAEA had fluctuated in recent months due to political developments. However, Tehran has reiterated its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"I have repeatedly told our colleagues in Iran that reducing cooperation is not the right response," he said.

"But I think it is a wise step that they have confirmed that they will not leave the NPT," he said.

The IAEA inspection in Iran was temporarily suspended due to security reasons due to the "12 Day War" between Iran and Israel in June, Grossi said.

Efforts to continue engagement are ongoing, he added, in particular highlighting the agreement brokered in September in Cairo, under Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, allowing inspections to resume.

"This arrangement is not perfect but successful," Grossi said, adding he kept in touch with the Iranian Foreign Minister and other officials.

Asked about the Israeli and US attacks on Iran's nuclear sites during the conflict in June, Grossi said the damage to three "very large" facilities had hampered Iran's nuclear program.

"There is no doubt about this," he added, warning such incidents complicate the inspection work carried out by the IAEA.

Grossi rejected claims in Iranian media that said reports compiled by his agency had contributed to regional conflicts.

"It is not appropriate to attack international organizations and blame them for something that has nothing to do with the organization," Grossi said.

"Our report reflects technical facts, not political judgments," he said.