Rafael Grossi: ‘Iran’s Technical Knowledge and Uranium Reserves Still Remain’

Grossi warned that if diplomacy collapses, there is a risk of force returning to dealings with Tehran, since technical knowledge and uranium reserves in Iran still remain.

In his latest official remarks, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, reported the emergence of serious damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities and at the same time emphasized that the country’s technical capacity has not been completely eliminated. He has warned that if the negotiation process is halted, there is a possibility of returning to military solutions.

Grossi said: “Severe damage was inflicted on the main nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow, but although Donald Trump speaks of ‘complete destruction’ of Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s technical knowledge has not been eliminated. Iran can also rebuild its centrifuges that are used for uranium enrichment.”

He added that Iran still has approximately 400 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent, a figure slightly below the level required for nuclear weapons, and if enrichment processes proceed, this stockpile would have the capability to produce materials for approximately 10 nuclear bombs.

However, he emphasized: “We have no evidence that Tehran intends to build a nuclear bomb. Inspections must be resumed to ensure this.”

Grossi also said: “In our view, most of this highly enriched uranium is still in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow.” He cited as reasons for this confidence the Agency’s visit to these facilities before the attacks and satellite monitoring afterward.

The Agency’s Director General stated in another part of his remarks that after the 12-day war, Iran could have withdrawn from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and severed its international relations, but it did not. This choice, he said, is worthy of commendation and demonstrates Tehran’s willingness to maintain minimal diplomatic engagement. However, he warned that if diplomacy fails, he would be concerned about the renewed resort to force.

These remarks come as Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, announced that Tehran’s cooperation with the Agency, within the framework of the Cairo agreement, “has become as if it never was.” On the other hand, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, stated that Tehran will not return to negotiations unless the United States changes its greedy policy. He emphasized: “As long as the Americans do not abandon their greedy and maximalist policies, we will not return to the negotiating table.”

Araghchi also, in response to Grossi’s remarks, said: “I do not know if he made this statement out of concern or threat.” He added that those who threaten should know that repeating a failed experience will have no result but failure again.

Ali Khamenei also, in response to Trump’s claim about destroying Iran’s nuclear capability, said: “No problem, think that way. But what business is it of yours that if a country has a nuclear industry, you should decide what should and should not be done about it?”

Some Western officials and analysts, in examining American and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, emphasize that the damage inflicted has been serious, but not to the extent of completely dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. For example, U.S. intelligence reports indicate that these attacks have only caused a temporary setback for a few months, but infrastructure and technical knowledge remain recoverable.

Furthermore, an issue that raises doubts is the continuation of restrictions on access by Agency inspectors to Iranian facilities. Iran has said it has security reasons for imposing these restrictions, Grossi has also found it understandable, but warned that without effective monitoring and continued inspections, international confidence and the ability to contain nuclear risk will be weakened.

Another issue that should not be overlooked is Ali Khamenei’s fatwa prohibiting the manufacture of nuclear weapons; this fatwa by Ali Khamenei, which was issued in previous decades, is one of the pillars of Iran’s official policy in nuclear affairs.

Finally, what is clear is that the current situation of Tehran, Washington, and the international community has become one of complex and high-risk conditions, where any breakdown in engagement or hostile advancement could lead to a new crisis in the region.