‘We Don’t Have Much Time’: IAEA Chief Issues Warning Ahead of Nuclear Talks Between Iran and United States

Latest Developments

• Grossi’s Warning: The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog warned on April17 that talks between the United States and Iran had reached “a very crucial stage.” Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visited Iran ahead of the second round of talks over the future of Tehran’s nuclear program, scheduled for April 19 in Rome. “We know that we are in a very crucial … stage of this important negotiation,” Grossi said, emphasizing the urgency of the talks: “We know we don’t have much time … So this is why I’m here.” He also suggested that the IAEA should play a role in the talks, noting that he “is in contact with the American negotiator to see how the agency can be a bridge between Iran and the US.”
• Saudi Defense Minister Visits Tehran: Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman met in Tehran with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on April 18 — the first visit to Iran by a high-level Saudi official in nearly two decades. While Saudi Arabia had supported the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and backed President Donald Trump’s maximum pressure sanctions, a 2023 agreement brokered by Beijing helped repair diplomatic relations between Riyadh and Tehran.
• Witkoff Met With Israeli Officials Ahead of Iran Talks: Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly met with White House envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris on April 18 ahead of the talks in Rome. Witkoff emphasized during the low-profile meeting that the Trump administration is committed to resolving the crisis surrounding Iran’s nuclear program diplomatically. On the same day, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “are committed, together with all parties, to leading a clear line that will prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons,” adding, “This is our responsibility and historic task.”

FDD Expert Response

“The position of the Trump administration can be stated in diplomatic language, but there should be no ambiguity. Iran’s rulers have been vowing “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” for almost half a century. They will not be permitted to have nuclear weapons that could deliver on their threat. Iran can agree to the verifiable dismantlement of its nuclear weapons infrastructure, which would lead to the lifting of economic pressures on Tehran. That is what President Trump would prefer. But if Iran’s rulers are recalcitrant, it should be made clear that the same result will be achieved through kinetic means.” — Clifford D. May, Founder and President

“If the framework of talks on Saturday is closer to the 2013-15 Obama-era nuclear deals, which kick the can down the road, President Trump is not going to look great on this one because that is the trap that Iran is trying to lure him into. Instead, if Trump retains his nuclear dismantlement framework as articulated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, then he will certainly come out of these talks looking good. But it will no doubt take more than just the April 19 talks to negotiate a deal, whether good or bad.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow

“Iran’s leadership will not negotiate seriously until President Trump makes it crystal clear that Washington will use military force, if necessary, to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. U.S. diplomatic and economic pressure will persuade Iran’s leaders to halt their nuclear weapons program only if paired with an unambiguous message that the program is futile because U.S. military action ultimately will prevent it from succeeding.” —Orde Kittrie, Senior Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

“‘Countless Overt and Covert Operations’: Israel Touts Record Against Iran Nuclear Program as U.S. Deliberates on Military Strike,” FDD Flash Brief

“Questions Loom Over U.S. Concessions to Iran in Nuclear Negotiations,” FDD Flash Brief

“What President Trump Must Demand to Eliminate Iran’s Nuclear Threat,” by Orde Kittrie, Andrea Stricker, and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“‘This is Just a Beginning’: United States and Iran Begin Nuclear Talks in Oman,” FDD Flash Brief

“FAQ: U.S. To Hold Nuclear Talks With Iran,” by Andrea Stricker