Russia to build eight nuclear power plants in Iran, MP says

“There is no formal link between one thing and the other,” said Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), at a press conference after the agency’s Board of Governors opening meeting in Vienna.

“But it is obvious, I think for all of us, that there is an interrelation and perhaps a mutual influence. Not perhaps—for sure. It is a mutual influence.”

Grossi emphasized that the draft resolution—tabled by the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—should be viewed as part of the agency’s technical oversight role, not as a political manoeuvre aimed at pressuring Iran as Tehran alleges.

Earlier in the day, Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), accused the IAEA of acting under American influence and said the agency had lost its credibility.“We have no hidden program and no deviation from our obligations.”

AEOI spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi also warned of specific countermeasures. “Last time we warned them and they didn’t listen, so we increased 60 percent enrichment sevenfold. Now again, we’ve told them what actions we may take,” he said in a broadcast. “The agency shouldn’t expect continued constructive cooperation.”

Iran views the potential censure resolution at the IAEA Board of Governors as a politically motivated step that could be exploited by the E3 to push for a Security Council move triggering the snapback mechanism, which would reimpose UN sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord.

JCPOA no longer sufficient as Iran advances program, IAEA chief says

Grossi said that even if revived, the 2015 deal—formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—would no longer be enough to address the scale and complexity of Iran’s nuclear activities.

“The JCPOA was designed to be applied to a very specific type of Iran program, which is completely different now,” he said. “Even if you wanted to revive it, it would not be enough because now they have new technologies.”

He added that the agency’s technical work must continue regardless of the political track. “We cannot wait for negotiations. We are an independent technical body. But if diplomacy succeeds, it will help reinforce cooperation.”

Highly enriched uranium ‘cannot be ignored’

Grossi stressed that while uranium enrichment is not prohibited under international law, the levels Iran is reaching are a serious concern.

“Uranium enrichment per se is not a forbidden activity, which is something my Iranian counterparts always tell me,” he said.

“At the same time, when you accumulate and continue to accumulate, and you are the only country in the world doing this at a level very, very close to what is needed for a nuclear explosive device, then we cannot ignore it.”

“There is no medical or civilian use for it,” he said. “That is why it is important for us.”

Iran obtaining IAEA documents undermines cooperation, Grossi says

Iran’s possession and analysis of confidential documents from the agency is a “bad” development that undermines the cooperative relationship expected between Tehran and the IAEA, Grossi said without elaborating on the documents.

A confidential IAEA report dated May 31 said that the agency had obtained “conclusive evidence of highly confidential documents belonging to the Agency having been actively collected and analyzed by Iran.”

“This dates to a few years ago, but we could determine with all clarity that documents that belong to the agency were in the hands of Iranian authorities, which is bad,” Grossi told reporters. “We believe that an action like this is not compatible with the spirit of cooperation.”

IAEA working to calm threat of Israeli military action

In response to a question about the possibility of Israeli military action on Iran’s nuclear program, Grossi said the agency is actively seeking to de-escalate the situation.

“We are trying to solve this without the use of violence or force,” he said. “If it’s done correctly, thoroughly, with a very strong verification and monitoring chapter from us, it would give the necessary assurance for Israel and for the world that there is nothing to be feared coming from there.”

Grossi said Israeli concerns were not new, but said the IAEA's focus remains technical. “We are trying to get to a solution in a diplomatic way, trying to clarify and solve this.”

No communication on Iran’s claim of seized Israeli documents

Responding to a question about reports that Iran has obtained sensitive data on Israeli nuclear activities, Grossi said the agency had received no official communication regarding the claims.

Grossi added that "This seems to refer to Soreq [nuclear center] which is research facility which we inspect by the way,” —suggesting that the documents Iran says to have accessed may relate to this site.

Contrary to popular belief, Grossi emphasized that the IAEA does inspect certain parts of Israel’s nuclear program.

“Normally people tell me, ‘you don’t inspect Israel.’ Yes, we do... We don’t inspect other strategic parts of the program, but we do inspect Soreq,” he said.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported on Saturday that Iranian intelligence services had obtained a significant volume of classified material from Israel, including documents concerning the country’s nuclear and strategic infrastructure.

Israeli security analysts have dismissed the claims as exaggerated or psychological warfare, while Iran’s intelligence minister said that the documents would soon be made public.

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday that there is no connection between a proposed resolution by the United States and three European powers on Iran’s nuclear non-compliance and recent indirect talks between Tehran and Washington.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the IAEA’s Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Rafael Grossi, emphasized that the draft resolution—put forward by the US, France, Germany, and the UK—should be viewed as part of the agency’s regular oversight responsibilities, not as a political tool tied to broader diplomatic efforts.

The resolution, if adopted, would increase pressure on Tehran just months before key provisions of the 2015 agreement—known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—expire.

Iran has warned of retaliation, saying any new censure could disrupt already fragile diplomatic channels.

Grossi also said that that while uranium enrichment is not prohibited under international law, Iran’s continued accumulation of highly enriched uranium at near weapons-grade levels cannot be ignored.

“Uranium enrichment per se is not a forbidden activity, which is something my Iranian counterparts always tell,” he said.

“At the same time, when you accumulate and continue to accumulate, and you are the only country in the world that is doing something like this at a level which is very, very close to the level that you need to have a nuclear explosive device, then we cannot ignore it,” he added.

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A former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Fereydoon Abbasi, dismissed the possibility of reimposed UN sanctions under the so-called snapback mechanism as political posturing by Western powers.

In comments carried by state media, Abbasi warned that Western pressure would persist regardless of Iran’s stance on enrichment or regional activities.

“Even if we abandon our nuclear and missile programs or stop supporting the Resistance Axis (Iran-backed regional militia), they will find new excuses,” he said, calling on authorities to “stand firm on nuclear rights and resist foreign interference.”

Abbasi, a former MP and physics professor who survived a 2010 assassination attempt, said Iran has achieved full mastery over the nuclear fuel cycle and does not need foreign partnerships to continue enrichment.

He also rejected proposals for multinational nuclear consortiums and argued that any move to reimpose sanctions would face resistance from China and Russia at the UN Security Council.

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said the agency had “lost its credibility” by acting under “unilateral American influence.”

“We have no hidden program and no deviation from our obligations,” Eslami said in an interview with Al-Arabi TV of Qatar ahead of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting this week. “We will not endanger the health of our people by surrendering to political pressure.”

Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the agency, also said in a separate broadcast that Iran had already conveyed a list of possible countermeasures if censured.

“Last time we warned them and they didn’t listen, so we increased 60 percent enrichment sevenfold. Now again, we’ve told them what actions we may take. The agency shouldn’t expect continued constructive cooperation.”

ISIS analysis: IAEA findings show coordinated nuclear program

In an analysis of the IAEA’s May 31 report, the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) said the agency had presented “new details from its assessments about Iran’s activities involving undeclared nuclear materials, related equipment, as well as their nuclear weapons relevance, at four sites in Iran.”

The analysis said the IAEA now concludes that Lavizan-Shian, Marivan, Varamin, and Turquz-Abad were “part of an undeclared structured nuclear program.”

The ISIS report highlights Iran’s production of uranium deuteride (UD3) neutron initiators at Lavizan-Shian during 2003, saying these were “integrated into scaled implosion systems and explosively tested.” These initiators play a central role in triggering the chain reaction in a nuclear weapon.

At Marivan, the IAEA assessed that Iran conducted four explosive tests involving “full-scale hemispherical implosion systems,” consistent with preparation for a cold test of a nuclear weapon device.

The analysis said the IAEA found indications that “equipment was developed and tested at Lavizan-Shian that included neutron detectors and housings,” and that “identical housing for neutron detectors was deployed in an explosive test at Marivan.”

The Varamin site, also referred to as the Tehran Plant in Iran’s nuclear archive, was identified as a pilot-scale uranium conversion facility. According to the analysis, the IAEA reported that the site housed “small but heavily contaminated (and possibly full) UF6 cylinders,” along with fluorine-based chemicals and radiation monitoring equipment.

Five containers of equipment were deemed essential by Iranian operators and were later moved to Turquz-Abad.

The ISIS review emphasized the connection between these sites and Turquz-Abad, which the IAEA concluded served as a storage site for nuclear materials and contaminated equipment from Lavizan-Shian, Varamin, and the Jaber Ibn Hayan Laboratory.

The agency detected “processed natural uranium particles” and isotopically altered uranium, including material enriched up to 19 percent, though it noted it has “no assessment regarding the source” of these particles.

ISIS noted that the findings warrant an IAEA Board of Governors censure resolution and referral of Iran’s case to the UN Security Council. It also urged the E3 to trigger a snapback of UN sanctions through the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action mechanism.

Iran points to ‘sabotage,’ questions IAEA process

Iran’s semi-official news agency ISNA reported Monday that officials had presented what they described as evidence of sabotage at Varamin and Turquz-Abad during the recent visit by IAEA Deputy Director General Massimo Aparo. According to ISNA, Iran shared physical traces of tampering and indicated it would provide further documentation when appropriate.

Iran said it had not been previously informed of key allegations contained in the IAEA’s report and rejected the agency’s linkage between uranium particles found at Turquz-Abad and activities at JHL. Officials insisted no intact containers were removed from Turquz-Abad in the period referenced by the agency and characterized the site as an industrial waste depot.

On Varamin, Tehran denied the existence of a pilot-scale conversion plant and accused the IAEA of basing its assessment on “fabricated documents” submitted by adversarial actors. Officials also dismissed satellite imagery cited by the agency as insufficient evidence of material transfer to Turquz-Abad.

While Iranian authorities expressed their willingness to cooperate within the safeguards framework, they questioned the IAEA’s transparency and impartiality. They also expressed concern that the agency’s recent conduct indicates “no intention to resolve these matters through technical channels.”

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog on Monday urged Iran to fully cooperate with the agency’s investigations, warning that unresolved questions about undeclared nuclear sites and enriched uranium stockpiles continue to cast doubt on the peaceful nature of Tehran’s atomic program.

Speaking at the opening of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors meeting, Director General Rafael Grossi said Iran had failed to provide credible explanations for traces of man-made uranium found at three undeclared sites—Varamin, Marivan, and Turquzabad—and had taken actions to obstruct verification efforts.

“Iran has repeatedly either not answered, or not provided technically credible answers,” Grossi told the board, adding that Iran’s moves to sanitize these locations further impeded oversight. “These locations were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out until the early 2000s.”

Grossi said Iran’s decision to halt implementation of modified Code 3.1—a legal obligation under its safeguards agreement—had significantly weakened the IAEA’s monitoring capabilities.

Tehran’s stockpile of over 400 kgof highly enriched uranium is raising fresh proliferation concerns.

The IAEA is also closely engaged in ongoing diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States. Grossi said he had held recent talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Cairo, alongside Egyptian officials, and stressed that any future deal must include a strong verification role for the Agency.

“I call upon Iran urgently to cooperate fully,” Grossi said. “Only a diplomatic solution, strongly backed by IAEA verification, can ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.”