Davos 2025: Iran Close To Weapons-Grade Enriched Uranium For Nuclear Bomb, Says IAEA Chief
However, Rafael Mariano Grossi said there is no evidence that Iran is building a nuclear weapon.
Iran has amassed a significant amount of enriched uranium and is now "very, very close" to achieving weapon-level uranium production, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said.
He expressed concern over Iran's lack of full cooperation with nuclear inspectors, during a special interaction with NDTV Profit at the World Economic Forum in Davos, emphasising that the IAEA has not been granted access to inspect all of Iran's nuclear sites.
"We don't have any evidence that Iran is building a nuclear weapon. But Iran has accumulated vast amounts of enriched uranium, which makes it close to weapon-grade. We have not had full co-operation from Iran in clarifying past and present activities," he said.
The US and Israel have repeatedly accused Tehran of trying to build a nuclear bomb, leading to a blanket of Western sanctions on the country's economy. US President Donald Trump has vowed to increase pressure on Iran to disband its nuclear capabilities.
On India, Grossi offered a reassuring assessment, commending the safety of Indian nuclear reactors and praising the country for adhering to the highest levels of nuclear safety standards established by the IAEA.
"Indian civil nuclear programme is one of the biggest and more diverse in the world. It has mastery of nuclear technology and every necessary capability in this domain," the IAEA chief said.
Grossi also addressed India’s potential membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, stating that the agency had come very close to facilitating the country's entry. However, he noted that broader political issues ultimately hindered India’s membership.
Additionally, he urged against further nuclear testing, both in the subcontinent and globally, to maintain peace and safety. India and Pakistan last conducted nuclear tests in 1998.
