IAEA deputy chief to visit Iran for further technical talks, official says

US Secretary of State said on Friday that Iran is nearing nuclear weapons capability and urged European nations to decide soon on reimposing sanctions under the snapback mechanism.

“Well for the Europeans they have an important decision to make very soon on the snapback of sanctions because Iran is clearly out of compliance with the current deal,” Rubio said.

“As you saw, the IAEA was in Tehran yesterday, uh, issued public statements saying Iran is as close as it's ever been to nuclear weapons,” he added.

Rubio said President Donald Trump “made clear Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. That is not going to happen.”

He said Washington prefers a diplomatic solution. “We're hoping that talks continue and that they're fruitful and that they can lead to something. We would all prefer a peaceful resolution and a lasting one.”

He added that any agreement must prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon not just now but long-term, and “not just for 10 years with some sort of sunset provision or the like.”

Rubio said the E3 – Britain, France, and Germany – would soon receive a new IAEA report showing Iran is “dangerously close to a weapon — closer than they've ever been,” and will need to decide whether to reimpose sanctions.

“If Iran is out of compliance, they have to reimpose the sanctions,” he said. “That's going to be a factor in all this.”

Iran has accumulated nearly 300 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium in violation of the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal. Germany, France and the United Kingdom are also signatories of the JCPOA. The final sunset clause of the agreement is approaching in October and the three European countries can use their prerogative to bring back UN sanctions against Iran that the deal suspended ten years ago.

“With the army behind us, we can express our positions on peace, stability, and regional cooperation from a position of strength,” Pezeshkian said during a ceremony marking Army Day.

He added that the armed forces have helped position Iran as a regional power and said the country now produces its own military equipment. “We build what we need on land, in the air, and at sea,” he said.

Pezeshkian praised the army’s role in responding to national crises and described it as a reliable force alongside the government and people.

The Iranian army, reliant on conscription, is equipped mainly with older generation weapons, many produced during the Soviet Union.

His comments came days after the first round of talks between Iranian and US officials in Oman. Following the talks, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei told military commanders that Iran’s armed forces must maintain maximum readiness to counter external threats. He described the military as the country’s shield and accused foreign powers of trying to weaken public trust in it.

President Donald Trump has threatened strikes if Iran fails to come to an agreement with the United States to curtail or dismantle its nuclear program.

“Armies that lack conviction, courage, and trust in their cause have collapsed, no matter how heavily equipped they were,” Khamenei said.

Khamenei also called for upgrades in weapons, logistics, and personnel support, alongside a continued focus on ideological commitment. Senior military officials echoed the message, saying Iran’s armed forces remain fully prepared and supported by the public.

Israeli Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Director Barnea traveled to Paris for a meeting with White House Envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday ahead of the nuclear talks with Iran in Rome on Saturday, Axios correspondent Barak Ravid cited three Israeli sources as saying.

Iran’s intelligence minister said the country follows a strategy of responding to threats with threats, in the face of pressure from its enemies, including the United States and Israel.

“Our approach, and that of the Iranian people, is to respond to threats with threats,” Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib said during a visit to North Khorasan province late Thursday.

He accused Israel and the US of supporting attacks in Gaza and Lebanon, and said Iran’s military and intelligence coordination had helped maintain national stability.

Khatib also warned against overreliance on diplomacy, saying the country’s strength lies in domestic capabilities. “The enemy failed in its maximum pressure campaign, and now it has turned to indirect talks,” he said.

His remarks follow recent comments by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who called for military readiness and internal resilience in response to foreign threats.

Iran is receiving contradictory and conflicting messages from the United States, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters after a military ceremony in Moscow, Araghchi said it is unclear what the US intends with its signals. “What they mean and what goals they pursue is their own issue,” he said.

“What matters for us is what is said at the negotiating table,” Araghchi said, adding that Iran has clearly stated its position and expects the other side to show the same seriousness and consistency.

He also noted that Russia, China, and other countries have expressed readiness to help facilitate progress in the negotiations.