The Situation Is Becoming More Tense: Grossi

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has emphasized the need to find diplomatic solutions regarding Iran's nuclear program, ahead of his upcoming visit to Tehran. "Iranian authorities must understand that the international situation is becoming more tense, that the space for maneuvering is beginning to shrink, and that it is necessary to find diplomatic ways to resolve the situation," Grossi told Agence France-Presse.

He acknowledged that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015 and subsequently abandoned by the United States, has become a 'hollow shell.' Commenting on Donald Trump's election as President, Grossi stated that he managed to work well with the Republican team in the White House during his first term, even though it was under Trump that Washington withdrew from the nuclear deal.

"The agency works in Iran, conducts inspections, but I have always said that we need more transparency. We must be able to see more. Considering the breadth, depth, and ambition of the Iranian program, we must find ways to provide the agency with more opportunities for observation," Grossi said.

The JCPOA was signed in 2015 by Iran and a group of international mediators from Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, the United States, and France. The agreement marked the end of a crisis that began in 2004 when Western nations accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons and imposed sanctions. Trump decided to pull the U.S. out of the agreement in 2018.

According to The New York Times, citing Iranian officials, there is a belief in Tehran that a new agreement regarding the nuclear program with the United States will be stronger and more long-term following Trump's recent victory in elections.