The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned that Iran continues to increase its monthly production of enriched uranium to near weapons grade and time is running out to reach an agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference that Tehran is increasing its monthly production of 60 percent enriched uranium by almost sevenfold.
"Iran will have about 250 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent by the time the IAEA’s next report is presented in the coming weeks," Grossi said on February 14 in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the conference.
"It's clearly a sign that should be taken very seriously. So this is why I believe that we shouldn't be wasting more time. I hope that we can refocus on Iran," he said.
Earlier this month he called on the Trump administration and Iran to engage in dialogue to advance the nuclear talks, stressing that dialogue is "absolutely necessary" to make progress.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said last week that talks with the United States were "not smart, wise or honorable" after President Donald Trump restored his "maximum pressure" policy toward Iran that includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero to push it into a deal that would severely constrain its nuclear program.
SEE ALSO: Iran Says Ready To Negotiate With U.S., But Not Under 'Maximum Pressure'Trump said at the time that he was “unhappy” to sign the maximum pressure order, but said he had to do it “because we have to be strong and firm.” Iran is "too close" to a nuclear weapon, he added, saying he is willing to talk with the Iranian leadership and hoped a deal could be reached.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian also supported Ali Khamenei's stance, claiming in a speech on the anniversary of the 1979 revolution that Trump wants to bring the revolution to its "knees."
Grossi said lack of a U.S. special representative for Iran is a hindrance.
"We are eagerly waiting for a U.S. envoy on Iran to be appointed so we can start exchanging views and seeing what the next steps will be," Grossi said. "We are in contact, but we haven't been able to have a political conversation with someone who is implementing the policies of the president."
The IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution in November ordering Iran to urgently improve cooperation with the agency and requesting a "comprehensive" report by spring aimed at pressuring Iran into fresh nuclear talks.