UN watchdog chief says Iran nears nuclear weapon

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, stated Iran is "not far" from developing a nuclear weapon, raising international concerns. This assessment was made just before his visit to Tehran for crucial talks. Grossi's warning comes amid ongoing tensions and negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program and its compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, which the US withdrew from in 2018. He emphasized the need for verification. The IAEA chief's visit precedes a second round of talks between Iran and the United States, with both sides expressing cautious optimism despite conflicting positions on uranium enrichment.