Tehran [Iran], October 24: Iran said that those who threaten to use force against it again 'should understand that repeating a failed experience will only lead to another failure'.
AFP news agency on October 23 quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warning of the possibility of new attacks against the country, after the head of the UN nuclear watchdog expressed concern about the possibility of "re-use of force" if diplomatic efforts with Tehran fail.
On June 13, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, sparking a war that Iran responded to with missile and drone attacks.
During the 12-day war, Israel targeted Iranian military and nuclear facilities as well as civilian areas, while the US later joined in with airstrikes on key nuclear facilities.
The conflict has disrupted nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington that began in April. A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in effect since June 24.
In an interview published on October 22 with the Swiss newspaper Le Temps , Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi said that "if diplomacy fails, I am concerned that there will be a resumption of the use of force."
A day later, Foreign Minister Araghchi said it was unclear whether Mr Grossi's remarks were made "out of concern or as a threat". "But those who make such threats should understand that repeating a failed experience will only lead to another failure," he added in a video released by Iran's Foreign Ministry.
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA flared up shortly after the 12-day war, when Tehran suspended cooperation with the agency over what it said was its failure to adequately condemn Israeli and US airstrikes.
In September, Iran and the IAEA reached a new cooperation framework, but just weeks later, Tehran declared it was no longer valid after Britain, France and Germany triggered the re-imposition of UN sanctions that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal.
In 2018, the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement during President Donald Trump's first term.
In the interview, Mr Grossi said that since the war, Iran had imposed "restrictions on inspections because of its security concerns" and only allowed inspectors "in on a limited basis".
According to the IAEA, Iran is the only country that does not possess nuclear weapons but has enriched uranium to 60%. The 90% threshold is needed to build a nuclear bomb. "If it continues with the next steps, Iran will have enough material for about 10 nuclear bombs . However, we have no evidence that Tehran is seeking to possess nuclear weapons," Mr. Grossi said.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
