International Atomic Energy Agency: Iran needs to reach a nuclear understanding with the Trump administration.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has stated that Iran needs to reach an understanding with the Trump administration regarding its nuclear activities to avoid being drawn into another military conflict in the Middle East. Six and a half years ago, Trump revoked an agreement that lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for strict restrictions on its nuclear activities. Now, Iran's stockpile of nearly bomb-grade enriched uranium has skyrocketed to a historic high. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said on Tuesday: "An agreement had been reached between the two sides before President Trump decided that this wasn't the path he wanted to take. Now we need to agree on how to address this issue, of course, excluding war. We don't want to see war happen again." The IAEA confirms Iran's December production of highly enriched uranium increased sevenfold The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Iran continues to produce large quantities of highly enriched uranium. In December of last year, the country increased its production capacity sevenfold to around 34 kilograms (75 pounds) per month in response to diplomatic condemnations in November. "We are in contact with Russia, China, and European countries, but everyone knows that the United States is indispensable," Grossi said. "What we need is to reach a consensus. This will be our mission in the coming weeks." Iran's growing stockpile of enriched uranium Ahead of Trump's inauguration on Monday, his officials were preparing new plans to pressure Iran. Senior advisers generally believe that re-implementing the maximum pressure strategy, starting with a massive sanctions plan targeting key players in the oil industry, could happen as early as February. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom are also preparing to exert new pressure on Iran. They have instructed IAEA inspectors to submit a special report on Iran's nuclear activities in the first half of 2025. This report will be submitted to the UN Security Council, which may choose to reimpose sanctions before they expire in October. Grossi stated, "This needs to get back on track," and added that he hopes to meet with the Trump administration "soon."