Grossi: Iran is only weeks away from obtaining the materials needed for a nuclear weapon

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has said that Iran will obtain the necessary materials to produce a nuclear weapon, and the only question is when this will happen.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said at a press conference in Vienna on Monday, June 6, that Iran is only weeks away from obtaining the material needed to build a nuclear weapon. He made it clear that the question is no longer whether Iran will obtain the material but when, saying: “It will happen.”

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, however, emphasized that it takes time to build a nuclear weapon from uranium.

A week ago, Grossi provided members of the International Atomic Energy Agency with an unpublished report, according to which the Islamic Republic possesses 43 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium.

According to a senior diplomat, about 50 kilograms of 90 percent enriched uranium are needed to make a nuclear warhead.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors will meet in Vienna this week. The meeting, likely to be held on Wednesday, June 8, will not only discuss the level of Iran's enriched uranium, but also discuss the agency's unanswered questions about Iran's undeclared nuclear sites, and will likely vote on a resolution proposed by the United States and three European countries on the matter.

According to Grossi, Iran must also explain to the Agency about facilities that are "not needed for peaceful purposes."

Uranium enrichment and stockpiling, as well as Iran's lack of cooperation with the IAEA on the issues raised, have made it difficult to return to the 2015 nuclear deal. In addition, Iran and the United States have not yet been able to reach an agreement on bilateral issues, including the lifting of sanctions on Iran.

Source: DW