Chief of UN nuclear watchdog to visit Iran

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, is planning a visit to Iran after a phone call with the country's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who has called on the IAEA to have a clear stance regarding recent open US threats against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities.

Grossi said he would consult with the other parties to create a favorable atmosphere to help resolve the existing issues as Iran toughens its stance and prepares for any attack by outside forces.

In an X post on Tuesday, Araghchi said that 10 years after signing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and seven years after the United States withdrew from it, "there is not one shred of proof that Iran has violated this commitment".

Even US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently "made this abundantly clear", he added.

The US unilaterally pulled out from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sweeping economic sanctions on the country. The IAEA has conducted inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities in recent years and discussed its progress.

"Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons," Araghchi said.

In an interview with NBC News on Sunday, US President Donald Trump threatened to launch "unprecedented military strikes "on Iran if it refuses to negotiate over its nuclear program.

Trump's remarks came after Iran rejected direct negotiations with the US as demanded by Trump in a letter to Iran's supreme leader. Yet, Teheran has repeatedly stressed that the door for indirect talks is open.

Given the persistence of these threats, Iran will take all necessary measures to safeguard its nuclear program, Araghchi said. The minister also briefed Grossi on the latest developments and diplomatic consultations on Iran's nuclear program.

On Monday, Iran filed an official protest at the United Nations Security Council against US threats to conduct military strikes, warning Washington of a swift and decisive response in case of any act of aggression.

'Firmly committed'

Iran "remains firmly committed to regional peace, stability and security", Saeed Iravani, Iran's ambassador to the UN, said in a letter to Security Council President Christina Markus Lassen and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"However, it strongly warns against any military adventurism and will respond swiftly and decisively to any act of aggression or attack by the United States or its proxy, the Israeli regime, against its sovereignty, territorial integrity or national interests."

Iran's domestic voices for countering attacks go further. Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said on Monday, "If America or Israel bomb Iran under the nuclear pretext, Iran will be compelled to move toward producing an atomic bomb."

The Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces has warned that "any threat, aggression, warmongering or violation of the sanctity of Islamic Iran will be met with a severe response, heightened power and an offensive approach".

Meanwhile, the US has moved nuclear-capable B-2 bombers to a military base on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, bringing them within striking distance of Yemen and Iran amid rising regional tensions, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

Xinhua contributed to this story.