Tehran has issued stark warnings against growing Western pressure and any potential Israeli aggression, as the Islamic Republic prepares for a sixth round of indirect talks with the United States over its nuclear program.
Behrouz Kamalvandi, deputy chief of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, said on state television Monday night that Tehran will respond “proportionately” to any further provocation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or hostile nations. “We have cooperated with the IAEA beyond our legal obligations. If that is not acknowledged, we will reduce our cooperation to the minimum required,” Kamalvandi said.
The remarks come amid a tense five-day IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, where the U.S. and European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal are pushing for a resolution censuring Iran over alleged non-compliance. Such a move could escalate tensions dramatically and even trigger the “snapback” mechanism to reimpose United Nations sanctions.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cautioned that reactivating UN sanctions would mark a “strategic miscalculation,” warning of potential Iranian withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty and expulsion of IAEA inspectors.
Iran maintains its nuclear activities are peaceful, rejecting allegations—largely based on Israeli intelligence—that traces of enriched uranium found at undeclared sites signal a covert weapons program. Kamalvandi accused Israel of “sabotage,” saying inspectors seemed to know precisely where to test in places like Turquzabad. “It’s obvious those who contaminated the sites handed over the exact coordinates,” he said.
Adding fuel to the geopolitical fire, Iran announced it has obtained thousands of sensitive documents from inside Israel’s nuclear infrastructure. Though details remain undisclosed, Tehran says the cache will strengthen its deterrent posture and enable direct retaliation against Israeli nuclear facilities if attacked.
Meanwhile, Mossad chief David Barnea is expected to meet with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff ahead of the upcoming talks. The sixth round of negotiations—tentatively set for Sunday—follows five inconclusive sessions, with uranium enrichment still the main sticking point. While Washington insists on zero enrichment, Iran refuses to forfeit its right to civilian nuclear capabilities.
In a region shadowed by war and distrust, Tehran’s latest defiance sets the stage for a pivotal week in nuclear diplomacy—one that could determine whether dialogue prevails or confrontation erupts.
