Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), announced on Wednesday that he may travel to Iran in the coming days to discuss the country’s nuclear program. His visit comes at a time of heightened concerns over Iran’s increasing uranium enrichment levels and its lack of cooperation with IAEA inspectors.
Grossi had hoped to visit Tehran ahead of the US presidential election, aiming to resolve long-standing issues between Iran, the IAEA, and Western powers. He confirmed that talks were underway with Iranian officials about the visit, although the specific dates have yet to be confirmed.
Iran has faced mounting pressure over its nuclear activities since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal under then-President Trump. Since then, Iran has ramped up uranium enrichment, now reaching levels of up to 60% fissile purity, close to the threshold for weapons-grade material. Iran insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful energy purposes, but the West remains skeptical, given its past nuclear ambitions.
The outcome of the US presidential election could significantly impact how the situation develops. While Trump has made it clear he does not want Iran to possess nuclear weapons, his stance on how to address the issue remains uncertain. Iran has shown signs of readiness to re-engage in talks, particularly with European powers, but regional instability exacerbated by conflicts such as the Gaza war and Iran’s support for Russia complicates prospects for diplomatic breakthroughs.
In the meantime, Grossi’s visit could signal a critical moment for the IAEA’s efforts to push Iran towards transparency and cooperation as it seeks to prevent further escalation in the region.