Iran very close to acquiring nuclear weapons, UN watchdog warns

The Islamic Republic is very close to developing a nuclear weapon, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog warned on Saturday, as the world awaits Tehran's response to Donald Trump's offer of either nuclear talks or the possibility of airstrikes on its atomic sites.

"Iran has an extremely ambitious and extensive nuclear program, under which it is enriching uranium to nearly weapons-grade levels," Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

Speaking in an interview with Argentine online newspaper Infobae, Grossi said Iran’s nuclear situation is relatively contained right now.

However, he warned, "it remains very close to the nuclear threshold—meaning it could potentially acquire atomic weapons."

US President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei offering talks toward a deal on its nuclear program, he told Fox Business Network on March 7, but warned that the alternative was a military intervention.

Khamenei on Wednesday said Trump's past withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal renders diplomacy with him pointless now and vowed harsh retaliation to any attack by the United States or its allies.

In his Saturday interview with Infobae, Grossi said Tehran has a history of violating its nuclear commitments.

"At times, Iran has failed to meet its international obligations, leading to serious tensions," the UN nuclear watchdog's chief said.

Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon but the UN's nuclear watchdog last week pointed to a sharp rise in Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The IAEA has argued in the past that there is no credible civilian use for uranium enriched to 60%, which is a short step from weapons-grade 90% enriched fissile material.