IAEA Chief sees progress in nuclear talks with Iran, Warns time running out

VIENNA: The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog says talks with Iran are moving forward, but warned that the window for reaching an agreement is quickly closing.

Speaking to the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors in Vienna on Monday, Director General Rafael Grossi said he was “hopeful” that negotiations could soon reach a breakthrough. *“Progress has been made… there is still time, but not much,” he told members.

Iran has allowed limited inspections since late August, but its Foreign Ministry says no final deal has been agreed. The dispute follows deadly clashes in June when Israel, with U.S. backing, carried out airstrikes on several Iranian cities and key nuclear facilities, including Natanz and Fordo.

Tehran accused the IAEA of fueling those attacks by publishing a critical report on its nuclear activity just before the strikes, and later suspended cooperation with the agency through a parliamentary vote. Any new inspections must now be approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Despite the strained relations, Grossi confirmed that talks are ongoing to restore access to sensitive nuclear sites, including those damaged in the strikes.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blasted Britain, France, and Germany for triggering a process that could reinstate UN sanctions under the 2015 nuclear deal. Writing in The Guardian, he argued that the European move has “no legal basis” and warned it could backfire.

The three European powers launched the so-called “snapback” mechanism in August, accusing Iran of serious violations of the 2015 agreement. Washington, which supported Israel’s strikes and also hit Iranian sites in June, has welcomed Europe’s decision.

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