IAEA Chief: Israeli Strike may push Iran toward Nuclear Weapons

An Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites could push Tehran toward weaponization, warns IAEA chief amid fragile diplomatic efforts.

The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has warned that an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities could escalate the risk of Iran pursuing nuclear weapons. His remarks come amid ongoing indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, facilitated by Oman, as tensions remain high over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional security concerns.

In an interview with i24 News and The Jerusalem Post, Grossi said Iranian officials had cautioned him about the consequences of any military strike, warning that such an action might push Tehran toward withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). According to Al Jazeera, the IAEA has also recently urged Iran to cooperate more actively, citing “less than satisfactory” transparency in past nuclear activities at undeclared sites.

Grossi added that, while he personally does not believe Israel will carry out an imminent attack, Iran’s facilities are “extremely well-protected,” and disrupting them would require “overwhelming and devastating force.” He emphasized that a military option could have a solidifying effect on Iran’s nuclear resolve rather than deterring it.

Meanwhile, Iran is preparing to submit a counterproposal in response to a recent U.S. offer for a renewed nuclear agreement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei criticized the American plan for failing to adequately address sanctions relief and called the IAEA’s latest report on Iran’s activities “unbalanced,” alleging it was influenced by forged Israeli intelligence documents.

The U.S. and Iran have been attempting to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was unilaterally abandoned by the U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018. Trump, speaking recently at a White House economic forum, described Iran as a “tough” negotiator and confirmed that discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are ongoing regarding the timing and scope of the negotiations.

Meanwhile, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the sixth round of nuclear talks will begin on Sunday, June 15, in Oman.

While both sides appear interested in diplomacy, deep mistrust and unresolved issues surrounding uranium enrichment, sanctions, and regional security continue to hinder progress. The IAEA’s warnings further underscore the high stakes involved should negotiations collapse or military action be taken.

The success of the diplomatic track will likely depend on concrete guarantees, transparent monitoring, and mutual compromise. With regional stability on the line, world powers are watching closely as Tehran and Washington navigate this tense and critical phase of nuclear diplomacy.

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