US finalizing IAEA resolution deeming Iran in non-compliance - WSJ reporter

Tehran expects the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors to adopt a resolution finding Iran non-compliant with its nuclear proliferation obligations next week, the state-affiliated English language newspaper Tehran Times reported on Thursday.

Iran is considering counter-measures immediately following the move, the report added, citing an unnamed source close to the foreign ministry and Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.

Germany’s foreign minister warned that Iran’s nuclear program poses a vital threat to Israel, adding that Berlin will continue to supply weapons to the Jewish state.

“No one can doubt that the Iranian nuclear program poses a vital threat to Israel,” Johann Wadephul said, speaking alongside his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Berlin on Thursday. “We share the conviction that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.”

Wadephul also condemned attacks on Israel by Iran’s allied groups in the region, saying, “Israel is being attacked by terrorist organizations … the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas. Also by states, by the way. It has been attacked twice by Iran.”

“Germany will continue to support Israel by supplying weapons,” he added.

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Jim Risch says he's “not particularly optimistic” about reaching a deal with Iran, warning that Israel could take matters into its own hands if diplomacy fails.

“If Iran does not agree to a deal, Israel is going to do something about that,” Jewish Insider quoted Senator Jim Risch as saying on Wednesday during remarks at the Hudson Institute think tank.

Risch said he has had several conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who told him, “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.”

“I believe him, and I think that’s a case for the United States to be in the exact same position,” he added.

Risch also called for increased sanctions on both Iran and those purchasing its oil.

Iran no longer needs help from any country to discover, process, or enrich uranium, a senior lawmaker said Thursday, criticizing the United States for what he called contradictory demands in ongoing nuclear talks.

"The Americans at times say they accept enrichment up to 3.67 percent, but then they question the principle of enrichment altogether,” MP Mojtaba Zolnouri said.

Former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley says maximum pressure is the only way forward in dealing with Tehran.

“If Iran fears it will be attacked before it can create a weapon, it has an incentive to give up its nuclear program for good,” Haley wrote on X.

In a post on X she called for sanctions on China over Iranian oil purchases, stronger regional coordination, and support for a potential targeted military strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.