TEHRAN: A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that Iran could expel UN nuclear inspectors and halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if external threats continue, as tensions mount ahead of high-stakes talks with the United States.
Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, a key figure in Iran’s national security apparatus, issued the warning on Thursday via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), marking the first official Iranian response since U.S. President Donald Trump stated that military action against Iran remained “absolutely” on the table should negotiations fail.
“The continuation of external threats and a state of military alert may compel Iran to take deterrent measures, including the expulsion of IAEA inspectors and the cessation of nuclear cooperation,” Shamkhani wrote.
He also suggested that Iran might consider transferring enriched nuclear materials to secure locations, further escalating the standoff.
The remarks come just days before a critical diplomatic meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, scheduled for Saturday in Oman. Washington has described the talks as a final opportunity for a peaceful resolution to Western concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Tensions surged after President Trump reportedly sent a direct letter to Khamenei last month, proposing direct talks while warning of potential military consequences if diplomacy fails.
