Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a conference on provincial diplomacy in Mashhad on Thursday, Araqchi responded to recent remarks by Rafael Grossi, saying, “I do not know whether he made these comments out of concern or as a threat.
“But those who make such threats should know that repeating a failed experience will bring them nothing but another failure,” the top Iranian diplomat said.
In an interview with Geneva Solutions on Wednesday, Grossi talked about a range of issues, including Iran’s nuclear program.
Asked about how badly the Israeli and American strikes damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities in June, the IAEA chief said, “The damage to key sites in Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow was severe. But even though Trump talks about ‘obliteration’, Iran’s technical know-how hasn’t vanished. Its centrifuges, which can be used to enrich uranium, can also be rebuilt. In any case, Iran still holds enriched uranium, including around 400 kilos enriched to 60 percent, just short of weapons-grade level. If it went further, Iran would have enough material for roughly ten nuclear bombs. But we have no evidence that Tehran intends to build one. To be sure of that, inspections must resume. We believe most of the highly enriched uranium remains at Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow.”