Grossi: I Believe Both the U.S. and Iran Want a Deal

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, told the Associated Press in an interview regarding the ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program that he has been in constant contact with both parties.

Grossi said: “I think both of them want an agreement. That doesn’t mean it will be easy to achieve, but—no matter how simple or obvious it may seem—having two sides that want to reach a deal is a big advantage.”

He added: “Throughout my long diplomatic career, I’ve taken part in negotiations where the parties didn’t necessarily want an agreement.”

The IAEA chief stated: “When I spoke with Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s envoy for Middle East affairs, I sensed the U.S. president’s willingness to reach an agreement. On the other hand, when I spoke with Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian president, and Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister, I also sensed the same desire.”

Grossi noted: “Unlike in the past, when more individuals and countries were involved in these talks, the current discussions are more one-on-one. We’ll see what happens. In any case, I believe this is a significant matter, and that’s why we’re supporting them.”