IAEA Warns Iran Nuclear Risk Elevated Following February Strikes

VIENNA — The International Atomic Energy Agency stated Tuesday that the risk of Iran developing nuclear weapons capabilities has increased following military strikes by the United States and Israel in late February.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced the assessment during a press briefing in Vienna, marking a significant shift in the agency's evaluation of the situation in the Middle East. The warning comes as tensions remain high in the region after the coordinated attacks targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

Grossi said the agency's inspectors have observed changes at several sites that suggest a heightened state of alert and potential acceleration of enrichment activities. The director general emphasized that the current trajectory poses a greater threat to regional stability than the situation prior to the February operations.

The United States and Israel launched the strikes in late February, citing concerns over Iran's advancing nuclear program. Israeli officials stated the operation aimed to degrade Iran's ability to produce fissile material, while U.S. officials described the action as a necessary measure to prevent a nuclear-armed adversary in the region.

Iranian officials have condemned the attacks as acts of aggression and vowed to continue their nuclear program. Tehran's Foreign Ministry stated that the country's nuclear activities remain peaceful and that the strikes have only strengthened Iran's resolve to achieve self-sufficiency in nuclear technology.

The IAEA report does not confirm whether Iran has crossed any specific thresholds toward weaponization, but Grossi noted that the agency's ability to monitor the program has been complicated by the aftermath of the attacks. Access to certain facilities has been restricted, and inspectors have reported delays in receiving data from Iranian authorities.

The situation remains fluid as diplomatic efforts to address the crisis continue. European Union officials have called for renewed dialogue between Tehran and the international community, while U.S. officials have indicated that further action may be necessary if Iran does not return to compliance with its international obligations.

The IAEA is expected to present a more detailed report to its Board of Governors later this month. The agency has not specified what steps it will take if the situation continues to deteriorate, but Grossi warned that the window for a diplomatic solution is narrowing.

Questions remain about the long-term impact of the strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure and whether the attacks have prompted Tehran to accelerate its program in secret. The IAEA has not yet determined the full extent of the damage to Iranian facilities or whether any materials were lost or diverted during the conflict.

Regional allies of Iran have expressed concern over the potential for further escalation, while Western powers have reaffirmed their commitment to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. The international community is watching closely as the situation develops, with the potential for renewed conflict looming over the region.