UN Nuclear Watchdog Chief: Iran Close To Developing Atomic Bomb

Iran is not far from developing an atomic bomb, according to Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In an interview with Le Monde, published on Wednesday, Grossi stated that while Iran still had some distance to cover before acquiring nuclear weapons, “they’re not far from it, you have to acknowledge.”

Grossi drew a comparison between the development of a nuclear bomb and assembling a jigsaw puzzle, explaining that Iran “has the pieces and they could eventually put them together one day.”

Grossi, who was scheduled to arrive in Tehran later on Wednesday, was set to hold discussions with senior Iranian officials. His visit comes amid growing international concern over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The IAEA has been tasked with monitoring Iran’s adherence to the 2015 nuclear agreement.

However, the deal has been in jeopardy since Donald Trump’s withdrawal from it during his first term as US President, leaving its future uncertain.