DAVOS, Switzerland: The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, urged the Trump administration and Iran on Wednesday to engage in dialogue and work towards an agreement on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said dialogue was “absolutely indispensable” to move forward in nuclear negotiations with Tehran.
“Without that dialogue, there’s not going to be any progress,” Grossi told reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Comments from President Donald Trump and members of the new administration show “there is a disposition” to have a “conversation and perhaps move into some form of an agreement”, Grossi said.
Iranian officials also recognise that talks are needed, he noted.
Iran’s nuclear programme has grown “dramatically” in terms of capabilities, facilities and inventory of nuclear material since the end of Trump’s previous term in 2021, Grossi added.
During his first term, Trump pursued a policy of “maximum pressure” against Iran, withdrawing the United States from a 2015 landmark nuclear deal which imposed curbs on its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.
Tehran adhered to the deal until Washington’s withdrawal in 2018. Efforts to revive the pact have since faltered.
Iran’s nuclear programme
The IAEA said last month that a revamp of Iran’s Fordo enrichment plant would lead to an increase in the rate of production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent, closer to the 90 percent needed to make a nuclear weapon.
The rate of production will jump around sevenfold to more than 34 kilogrammes (75 pounds) of highly enriched uranium per month, it said.
“I think this is a clear indication of an acceleration. They’re pressing the gas pedal,” Grossi said.
Iran insists on its right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and denies it is seeking an atomic weapons capability.
Grossi said on Tuesday in Davos that there was an agreement that existed before Trump decided that it was not the path he wanted to follow, referring to the 2015 nuclear deal.
“Now we need to come to terms with how we deal with this, excluding, of course, a war. We don’t want more wars,” he added.
ALSO READ: Russia, Iran Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement
The IAEA chief further claimed that “Iran continues producing large quantities of highly enriched uranium.”
“We are engaging with Russia, China, and the European countries, but it’s clear to everyone that the US is indispensable,” Grossi said. “What we need is to find an understanding. This is going to be our mission in the next few weeks.”
Iran honoured its commitments under the nuclear deal for a year following the US withdrawal, giving the European signatories time to fulfil their promises to mitigate the impacts of Washington’s unilateral exit.
However, Iran began to scale back its obligations under the JCPOA in several stages as the Europeans failed to keep their end of the bargain.
Earlier this month, the Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami stated that objections from the West have not hindered Iran’s progress in its nuclear activities. – Agencies