Military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites would have only short-term effects and fail to destroy its capabilities, the UN atomic watchdog chief said, urging diplomacy as the sole path to a lasting solution to concerns over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.
"One thing is clear to me, to Iran, and to those who attacked Iran: a lasting, permanent solution to this situation and to the doubts surrounding Iran’s nuclear program can only be diplomatic," Rafael Grossi said on a podcast hosted by Colombia’s Innovation for Development Foundation on Friday.
"Although attacks or military action may have short-term effects, the technical and technological capabilities exist — what was destroyed can be rebuilt," he added.
"I always remind all the parties involved that beyond missiles and bombs, the only lasting solution will have to be some form of new agreement to restore lost trust.”
Talks between Tehran and Western powers over the country's nuclear program remain stalled.
A sixth round of indirect US-Iran talks was suspended in June after Israel and the United States struck Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting waves of Iranian missile retaliation against Israel.
A preliminary US Defense Intelligence Agency assessment found the strikes may have delayed Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months, according to a report by Reuters.
However, US President Donald Trump has consistently said Iran’s nuclear facilities targeted in the attacks were “totally obliterated.”
In a confidential report leaked to reporters last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran's stock of near-weapons grade uranium had increased almost eight percent before Israel attacked its nuclear facilities on June 13.
The report shows Iran had 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, marking a 7.9% increase since the UN nuclear watchdog’s previous report in May.
Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian use and denies pursuing the development or acquisition of nuclear weapons.
Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Friday said Berlin wants a negotiated solution to limit Iran’s nuclear program after the reimposition of United Nations sanctions.
The UN sanctions on Iran were reinstated on September 28 after the UK, France, and Germany (the E3) triggered the snapback mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA).
The E3 said the decision followed “Iran rejecting two offers put on the table by the JCPoA coordinator in 2022 and further expanding its nuclear activities in clear breach of its JCPoA commitments.”
Iran has blamed the failure of the talks on what it calls Western powers’ “excessive demands.”
The remarks came during a meeting with foreign ambassadors in Tehran, where he said the session was held to brief diplomats on developments in New York and the reactivation of UN sanctions.
“Iran had sought a fair and balanced solution, but Western states responded negatively out of greed,” Araghchi said.
“Years of pressure had proven that there is no solution to Iran’s nuclear issue other than diplomacy...The snapback of sanctions, like military attacks, cannot work.”
All UN sanctions suspended under the 2015 deal with Iran snapped back into force on September 27, one month after European powers triggered the snapback mechanism.
The three European countries had weakened their own diplomatic role by resorting to pressure, he said
The Cairo agreement with the IAEA was no longer viable after the snapback, and Iran would redefine its framework for engagement under new conditions, according to the Iranian foreign minister.
Iran had demonstrated goodwill in its dealings with both Western powers and the IAEA, Araghchi said, adding that Tehran had “taken every step it could to reach a negotiated solution.”
“We showed goodwill through our cooperation with the Agency and our fair proposals. The West has no excuse to say Iran avoided talks, nor any justification for triggering the snapback mechanism… Iran’s position is now fully vindicated.”
The United Nations sanctions include restrictions on Iran’s nuclear and military activities, asset freezes on designated entities, and a duty to “exercise vigilance” when doing business with Iran.
France, Germany and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement the reimposition of sanctions was unavoidable after Iran’s breaches of the 2015 nuclear deal, citing enriched uranium stockpiles 48 times above agreed limits.
However, the foreign minister said Iran had proved it seeks only to secure its legitimate rights while remaining open to any fair diplomatic path.
“The last time there was an attack, more than 120 countries condemned it because Iran acted wisely,” Araghchi said. “Once again, Iran has shown it is a smart player that will not surrender its rights.”