By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has declared that the organization has found no evidence of a systematic plan by Iran to move towards building a nuclear weapon, directly addressing escalating tensions in the Middle East. This statement comes amidst ongoing Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that Iran is “very close” to developing nuclear arms.

Starting around June 13, 2025, Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion,” conducting airstrikes on various sites across Iran, including nuclear facilities like the Arak Heavy Water Reactor and a storage facility at Natanz. Israel has justified these attacks as “pre-emptive” measures aimed at halting what it claims is Iran’s nuclear weapons program and an existential national threat.

However, Grossi’s position contrasts sharply with these claims. On June 19, he reiterated that the IAEA has not found concrete evidence of nuclear weapons production in Iran. This affirmation directly challenges accusations from both Israel and the United States that Iran is on the brink of weaponization. President Trump, for his part, publicly stated around June 18, 2025, his belief that Iran is “very close” to obtaining a nuclear weapon, notably remarking, “I don’t care what those who claim to have the information say, but I think Iran is very close to making nuclear weapons,” seemingly dismissing intelligence assessments that may differ. The White House has maintained Trump’s consistent stance that Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.

Iran, meanwhile, has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes, focusing on energy and research.

In light of the heightened military actions and escalating rhetoric, the IAEA has called for utmost restraint from all parties involved. Director General Grossi emphasized the critical importance of dialogue and diplomacy as the only sustainable path forward, stressing that nuclear facilities must never be targeted due to the severe risks of radiological consequences. The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely and remains ready to facilitate technical discussions and support efforts that promote transparency, safety, security, and the peaceful resolution of nuclear-related issues in Iran, despite ongoing concerns regarding Iran’s levels of uranium enrichment and transparency with the agency.