U.N. nuclear watchdog director says "we haven't seen activity" of Iran rebuilding enrichment program

CBS News
March 19, 2026
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3 min read

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Rafael Grossi, IAEA director general, stated the agency has not observed activity indicating Iran is rebuilding its enrichment program.

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Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told CBS News that Iran has not demonstrated observable activity consistent with rebuilding its nuclear enrichment program. Grossi's assessment carries weight because the IAEA is the U.N. body responsible for monitoring Iran's nuclear activities under international agreements. The statement suggests that despite tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions, there is currently no detected evidence of a major escalation in enrichment capacity. This characterization contrasts with concerns raised by some officials and analysts about Iran's nuclear trajectory. Grossi's comments come at a time of heightened scrutiny over Iran's compliance with existing nuclear oversight frameworks.

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