Iran has long accused Israel of targeting its nuclear program through covert operations. Israeli officials, in turn, have hinted at potential strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. This exchange of threats that has intensified amid ongoing hostilities between the two nations since Israel's attacks on Hezbollah, a long-standing ally.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency is warning that the “space for negotiation and diplomacy ... is getting smaller” over Iran’s advancing atomic program as wars in the Mideast rage on and as President Donald Trump will return to the White House.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, writing on X following his talks with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, said: "The ball is in the EU/E3 court. Willing to negotiate based on our national interest and inalienable rights, but not ready to negotiate under pressure and intimidation."

Rafael Grossi said that "tangible results" were needed to avoid a war. Tehran said it would negotiate, but not under pressure.

Iran is willing to resolve disputes with the United Nations over its compliance with safeguards on its nuclear programme but will not do so "under pressure and intimidation", Iran's foreign

Help Us,' UN Nuclear Watchdog Chief Tells Iran Ahead of Visit By Richard Valdmanis BAKU (Reuters) - U.N. atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi appealed to Iran's leadership on Tuesday to take steps to resolve longstanding issues with his agency a day before he arrives in the Iranian capital for crunch talks over its nuclear programme.

U.N. atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi arrived in Iran for talks on Wednesday, Iranian state media reported, a day after he appealed to Iran's leadership to take steps to resolve longstanding issues with his agency over its nuclear programme.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the visiting head of the UN nuclear watchdog on Thursday that his government was willing to resolve doubts about its atomic programme, ahead of US