Israeli attack could drive Iran to seek nuclear weapons, IAEA chief warns

Head of atomic watchdog warns Israeli onslaught whitethorn harden Iran’s resoluteness connected atomic arms arsenic diplomacy stalls.

The caput of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has warned that an Israeli onslaught connected Iran’s atomic facilities could propulsion Tehran person to processing atomic weapons arsenic indirect talks betwixt the United States and Iran proceed done Omani mediation.

Speaking to i24 News and The Jerusalem Post, Grossi said Iranian officials had cautioned him astir the imaginable consequences of a strike.

“A onslaught could perchance person an amalgamating effect, solidifying Iran’s determination – I volition accidental it plainly – to prosecute a atomic limb oregon retreat from the Treaty connected the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,” helium said successful an interrogation that was published connected Monday.

Grossi added that helium did not judge Israel would motorboat specified an operation.

“But 1 happening is certain,” helium said, “The [Iranian] programme runs wide and deep. And erstwhile I accidental ‘deep’, I mean it. Many of these facilities are highly well-protected. Disrupting them would necessitate overwhelming and devastating force.”

He made his comments arsenic Iran prepares a counteroffer to a US connection for a caller atomic deal.

Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said connected Monday that the US connection lacked cardinal elements and failed to code sanctions alleviation – a longstanding request from Tehran.

“We volition soon taxable our ain projected program to the different broadside done Oman erstwhile it is finalised,” Baghaei said without elaborating connected the details.

He besides criticised the IAEA’s latest study connected Iran’s atomic programme arsenic “unbalanced”, accusing it of relying connected “forged documents” from Israel. The IAEA had precocious described Iran’s practice arsenic “less than satisfactory”, peculiarly successful clarifying past atomic activities astatine undeclared locations.

The US and Iran are trying to onslaught a caller atomic woody aft a 2015 statement was abandoned by US President Donald Trump successful 2018 during his archetypal term.

Trump described Iran connected Monday arsenic a “tough” and skilled negotiator, arsenic Washington continues indirect atomic talks with Tehran.

“We’re doing a batch of enactment connected Iran close now,” Trump said during a White House economical event. “It’s pugnacious … They’re large negotiators.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bureau confirmed the 2 leaders spoke connected Monday, with Trump assuring him that negotiations with Iran would proceed aboriginal successful the week.

In a surprise remark past week, Trump said helium had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to jeopardise the fragile negotiations.

“I told him this would beryllium inappropriate to bash close present due to the fact that we’re precise adjacent to a solution,” Trump said.

It remains unclear erstwhile the adjacent circular of indirect negotiations volition instrumentality place. Baghaei said talks are ongoing but did not springiness a day for the adjacent meeting.

Source:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies