There has been significant damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, yet the country could restart uranium enrichment within months, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.
“The capacities they have are there. They could have, in a matter of months—or even less—a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium,” Grossi told CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday.
“Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared. There is still something there.”
Asked about the extent of damage from US military actions on nuclear sites, Grossi said it depends on how one defines damage.
“What happened—particularly in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, where Iran used to have, and still retains to some extent, capabilities for uranium treatment, conversion, and enrichment—has been significantly destroyed,” he said.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Wednesday there are “signs” that an agreement can be reached with Iran.
“We’re having conversations with the Iranians. There are multiple interlocutors reaching out to us. I think that they’re ready,” he told CNBC.
In his interview with CBS, Grossi clarified that the IAEA is not involved in those negotiations. “Our role is to monitor and verify. We’re not part of the direct talks,” he explained.
On whether Iran’s nuclear activity before the US and Israeli strikes indicated weaponization, Grossi said: “We haven’t seen a program aiming in that direction. But they are not answering very important, pending questions. That’s the truth.”
Last week, Iran’s parliament passed a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. The Guardian Council approved it shortly afterward.
Grossi said that Iran remains a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which overrides domestic law.
“An international treaty takes precedence. You cannot cite internal legislation to avoid your international obligations. Iran has not done so yet, which I see as constructive,” Grossi added.
