Rafael Grossi (IAEA): «After the War in Iran, We Must Return to the Negotiation Table»

Middle East - Ekhbary News Agency

Rafael Grossi: «After the War in Iran, We Must Return to the Negotiation Table»

As the conflict in Iran enters its eleventh day of Israeli-American strikes, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has voiced profound concern over the nation's nuclear status. In an interview with RFI on March 10, 2026, Grossi confirmed that while the strikes had not inflicted major damage on Iran's nuclear facilities, the strategic and political threat persists, necessitating an immediate return to the negotiation table.

Grossi highlighted that his primary concern is that Iran's nuclear assets remain in the same state as they were before the war that began in June 2025. Specifically, he pointed to a stock of over 440 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium, a quantity sufficient, according to the IAEA, to produce approximately ten nuclear weapons. He stressed that Iran's technological and industrial capabilities are still intact, posing significant challenges to regional and international security. "Beyond the conflict – and this conflict will have its logic and will come to an end, hopefully as soon as possible – we will have to return to the negotiation table and find, once and for all, a lasting solution to this issue that has affected us for over 20 years," Grossi stated.

Addressing the safety of the enriched uranium stock, Grossi noted a broad consensus that the material remains in its June 2025 locations, primarily within the tunnels of the Isfahan nuclear complex and partly in the Natanz complex. Regarding the potential impact of a direct strike on this stock, he clarified that radiological consequences would likely be limited to chemical intoxication, not a nuclear explosion as commonly imagined. However, he reaffirmed that the core issues are strategic and political, as "the threat of the possibility of nuclear weapons development exists. It has not disappeared."

When questioned about rumors of American and Israeli special forces being deployed to secure the uranium stock, Grossi expressed skepticism, diplomatically describing such an operation as "difficult." He reiterated that the solution lies in negotiations, not military escalation.

Regarding the damage to Iranian nuclear sites from the recent strikes, Grossi confirmed a marked difference from the June 2025 events. Last year's strikes were clearly "nuclear" in their focus on nuclear installations. This time, he observed, the targets were evidently political and industrial. He reported two strikes on Isfahan and one on Natanz but downplayed the extent of the damage, noting that these facilities were already "very damaged for months." No radioactive leaks or radiation have been detected so far, reinforcing his view that the problem remains a latent, strategic, and political one, centered on the threat of nuclear weapons development.

Grossi revealed that IAEA inspectors have not been able to access sensitive nuclear sites in Iran since June 2025. Despite attempts to re-establish inspections and negotiations, including his participation in talks in Geneva with Iranian, Omani, and American officials (including Mr. Witkoff and Mr. Kushner), no agreement was reached. He confirmed that contacts with Iranian authorities have been maintained since February 28, but the possibility of resuming negotiations is currently not on the table due to the ongoing bombardment. Nevertheless, he expressed belief that the moment for talks will come, and should come quickly.

The IAEA Director General voiced concern that the war could prompt more radicalized factions in Iran to decide that developing nuclear weapons is the solution given the circumstances. "That is the hypothesis that worries me. A hypothesis that must be ruled out," he stated, acknowledging that the war could indeed convince some Iranian figures of the utility of possessing nuclear weapons for defense. He stressed the need to avoid such scenarios and to have "plenty of ideas" to address the situation.

Commenting on former US President Donald Trump's statement that the war would "soon end," Grossi expressed optimism about the potential for reopening negotiations. He affirmed that Iran is a "great nation," with a "significant population," and an "industrialized country" that "will not be erased from the map." Therefore, "we must return to the negotiation table as soon as possible." He warned of the grave global economic consequences, including rising fossil fuel prices, emphasizing that these "stakes are also very serious and demand an urgent solution." He concluded by asserting that a ceasefire is a "clear precondition" for any negotiations, stating, "I cannot imagine negotiations beginning under the noise of bombardments."

Ekhbary News Agency