Iran has issued a firm warning against any renewed military attacks on its territory, stating that such actions would be a repetition of a "failed experience." The warning comes in response to concerns raised by the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog about the potential for a "renewed use of force" against the country.
On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to comments made by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, who stated in an interview that he fears a "renewed use of force" if diplomatic efforts with Tehran fail. Minister Araghchi questioned whether Grossi's remarks were made "out of concern or as a threat," and delivered a clear message to potential adversaries. "But those who issue such threats must understand that repeating a failed experience will only lead to another failure," he asserted in a video statement. This exchange underscores the heightened tensions in the region months after a major conflict.
The context for this diplomatic friction is a devastating 12-day war that erupted in mid-June when Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran. During this conflict, Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military and nuclear sites, as well as residential areas. The United States later joined with airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes of its own. A ceasefire has been in place since June 24, but the conflict derailed nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington that had begun just two months prior in April.
The military strikes severely damaged the relationship between Iran and the IAEA. Tehran suspended its cooperation with the agency, citing its failure to adequately condemn the Israeli and U.S. strikes on its territory. While the two sides agreed on a new cooperation framework in September, Tehran later deemed it invalid after Britain, France, and Germany triggered the return of UN sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal. That landmark agreement was effectively torpedoed in 2018 when the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from it during President Donald Trump's first term. Director Grossi has noted that Iran now only allows inspectors "sparingly" due to security concerns.
Amid the ongoing tensions, the IAEA has confirmed that Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country enriching uranium to 60 percent purity, which is close to the 90 percent level generally considered weapons-grade. Grossi has stated that if Iran were to take the next steps, it would have enough material for around ten nuclear bombs, but he also clarified that the agency has "no proof that Tehran was seeking to acquire nuclear weapons". This situation leaves the international community at a crossroads, balancing the need for robust diplomacy against the lingering threat of military force.