UN watchdog report ‘hardly’ justification for attack on Iran – IAEA chief

Rafael Grossi stressed that his agency found no evidence that Iran was building a nuclear bomb

Israel’s attack on Iran is not justified by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) latest report, which states there is no evidence that Tehran is developing a nuclear bomb, according to the agency’s chief, Rafael Grossi.

Israel launched airstrikes against Iran last week, claiming it was on the brink of developing a nuclear bomb. Tehran denied the accusation and responded with retaliatory strikes.

Israel’s attack came several days after the IAEA Board of Governors declared Iran in breach of its nonproliferation obligations. The resolution cited Grossi’s recent report that Iran had enriched uranium to 60% purity, albeit short of the 90% required for weapons-grade material, and was not cooperating with inspectors. 

Speaking to CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Thursday, Grossi stressed that the IAEA’s report “could hardly be a basis for military action.” 

“Military action, whomever it comes [from], is a political decision that has nothing to do with what we are saying,” he said.

Grossi acknowledged that Iran had failed to provide adequate answers to the agency’s inquiries, but emphasized that the IAEA “do not have any indication that there is a systematic program in Iran to manufacture, to produce a nuclear weapon.”

He also noted that enriched uranium alone does not equal a bomb. “We do not have any evidence that this is ongoing in Iran,” he said.  

Tehran had previously accused the IAEA chief of betrayal, saying his “biased report” was used to “craft” the resolution used by Israel to justify its “unlawful attack.”

Read more

US intelligence agencies have also maintained there is no evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, US President Donald Trump has dismissed those findings, insisting Iran was “very close” to getting a bomb when Israel attacked. He has called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and warned of possible US involvement if American targets are attacked.

Since launching its assault, Israel has hit several Iranian nuclear sites, including in Natanz, Isfahan, and near Tehran. However, the Israeli military reportedly lacks the capability to breach Iran’s fortified Fordow facility – built deep within a mountain – and has allegedly asked the US to use its GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, according to Axios. 

The White House has insisted that Trump had ruled out direct US participation in the strikes. The Wall Street Journal, however, recently claimed the president has already approved a US attack plan but is yet to give the order.

Israel’s campaign has drawn widespread condemnation. Moscow has accused West Jerusalem of violating international law and warned that US intervention would escalate the crisis.