TIME BOMB

THE chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned that the Israel-Iran war could lead to the multiplication of nuclear weapons around the globe.

Following USA’s attack on nuclear sites in Iran on Sunday, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said that the three member nations must return to the negotiating table or risk “unimaginable levels” of destruction.

At an emergency meeting of the United Nations agency yesterday, Grossi said: “The weight of this conflict risks collapsing the non-profileration regime. But there is still a path for diplomacy. We must take it. 

“Otherwise violence and destruction could reach unimaginable levels and the global non-profileration regime that has underpinned global safety and security for more than half a century could crumble and fall.”

Israel and the US have both accused the Middle Eastern nation of trying to develop nuclear weapons, with the IAEA and the US’s Intelligence department saying that Iran is nowhere near the reaching that stage.

Grossi, however, admits that the Fordow site, in the mountains just south of Tehran, housed 400kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent, but called for a stop to missile strikes in order to inspect the site.

He added: “Establishing the facts on the ground is a prerequisite for any agreement and this can only  be done through IAEA inspections.

“There needs to be a cessation of hostilities for the necessary conditions so that Iran can let IAEA teams inside to assess the situation.

“Inspectors are in Iran and they are ready.”

While the US has said that they are only attacking Iran to cripple its nuclear programme, US president Donald Trump threatened to overthrow the ayatollah regime, which has stood since the 1970s.

He wrote on his Truth Social platform: “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change’, but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”

But an Iran official says that while “Trump started this war, Iran will end it”.

Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya central military headquarters, said yesterday: “Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it.”

Iran made good on their threats late yesterday evening by launching rockets at the US-controlled Al Udeid air base in Qatar and targets in Iraq, according to widespread reports.