THE The United Nations The head of the nuclear watchdog warned on Thursday that it was time for diplomacy. IranTehran’s nuclear program ‘getting smaller and smaller’ uranium enrichment progresses.

Rafael Mariano GrossiDirector General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was visiting the capital to try to restore access for its inspectors to Iranian projects.

Iran imposed limits on the world’s main nuclear peace organization in early 2021.

This action followed a law passed by the Iranian Parliament in December 2020, which mandated a reduction in compliance with IAEA monitoring activities if sanctions against Iran were not lifted.

Grossi spoke of the urgency of resolving questions in increasingly murky territory.

“We know that it is essential to obtain, at this stage, concrete, tangible and visible results which will indicate that this joint work improves (the) situation,” he declared during a press conference.

Flanked by Mohammed Eslamihead of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Grossi stressed that only “clarification” can lead nations out of “conflict and ultimately war.”

Reduce diplomatic time with Iran

Iran has expanded its nuclear activities since 2018, when president-elect Donald Trumpthe first term of UNITED STATES leave the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCPOA), the multilateral nuclear agreement limiting the Iranian program.

Since then, Iran has enriched uranium up to 60 percent, close to the 90 percent level needed to nuclear weapons. IAEA monitoring has been repeatedly disrupted as Iran excluded some of its most experienced inspectors, limiting the scope of negotiations.

Several countries are now ready to address the Iranian program at the next meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors.

Grossi took the time to emphasize the urgency of the negotiations.

“The fact that there are international and regional tensions shows that the space for negotiation and diplomacy is not expanding, but shrinking,” he said.

Iran will not negotiate under “pressure and intimidation”

In response, Eslami warned that Tehran would not accept additional pressure.

“We have repeatedly stated that any resolution to intervene in the nuclear affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran would definitely be followed by immediate reciprocal measures,” he said.

“We will not allow them (to exert) that kind of pressure.”

Grossi also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchiwho then reiterated Iran’s position on the social platform X.

“Disputes can be resolved through cooperation and dialogue,” he said, adding that Tehran was “NOT prepared to negotiate under pressure and intimidation.”

While Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), he warned that Iran would resist any demands perceived as coercive.

Grossi calls on Iran to de-escalate

The trip highlighted regional conflicts, with journalists and Eslami criticizing Israelthe alleged sabotage of Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iran has long accused Israel of targeting its nuclear program through covert operations. Israeli officials, in turn, have hinted at potential strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

This exchange of threats, which intensified in the context of ongoing hostilities between the two nations since the Israeli attacks on Hezbollaha long-time ally.

Last month, Araghchi warned that Iran had “no red line to defend our interests” in reference to the attacks.

Grossi reaffirmed the IAEA’s role as a conflict resolution force.

“That’s my goal. That’s my concern. And I’m convinced that we’re going to be able to do it,” he concluded.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press