U.N. inspectors were set to resume work at Iranian nuclear facilities on Tuesday after a two-day hiatus due to “security considerations” in the wake of Tehran’s massive drone and missile strike on Israel overnight Saturday.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi noted on Monday that Israel could still target Iranian nuclear facilities, saying, “We are always concerned about this possibility.”
He emphasized that the two days off “has not had an impact on our inspection activity” and urged all sides to exercise “extreme restraint.”
The Islamic Republic launched more than 300 drones and missiles at the Jewish state in a direct attack in the early hours of April 13-14. The Israel Defense Forces said that Israel and its partners, including the United States, intercepted some 99% of the projectiles, calling it a “significant strategic achievement” and noting that none of the 170 UAVs sent by Tehran penetrated Israeli territory.
Israel’s War Cabinet is in the process of deciding on a “painful” response to the Islamic Republic’s assault.
Earlier this year, Grossi accused Tehran is being less than forthright with the IAEA regarding its nuclear program, saying the Islamic Republic was “presenting a face which is not entirely transparent when it comes to its nuclear activities. Of course, this increases dangers.”
There had recently been a rise in “loose talk” about nuclear weapons, including from Iran, he noted. “A very high official said, in fact, ‘we have everything, it’s disassembled.’ Well, please let me know what you have,” Grossi added.
The comment came after Ali Akbar Salehi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said that Tehran has all the pieces for a nuclear weapon “in our hands.”
