TEHRAN, April 11 (Alliance News): A top Iranian official warned Thursday that Tehran may expel UN nuclear inspectors and halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if threats from the United States continue ahead of crucial nuclear talks set for this weekend.
Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on X that growing military threats from the US could force Iran to adopt “deterrent measures,” including the expulsion of inspectors and the relocation of enriched nuclear materials to secure sites.
The warning comes just days before indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Muscat, Oman, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to meet US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The talks are being seen as a last-ditch diplomatic effort to revive stalled nuclear negotiations and avoid a potential military conflict.
US President Donald Trump, who returned to office earlier this year, reignited tensions on Wednesday by stating that military action against Iran remains “absolutely” possible if diplomacy fails.
“If it requires military, we’re going to have military,” Trump said, adding that Israel would be “the leader” in any potential strike against Iran.
Iran has rejected direct talks with the US, calling it an “arch-enemy,” but has shown willingness to engage in indirect negotiations. The upcoming meeting in Oman follows a letter Trump sent last month to Ayatollah Khamenei, urging Iran to engage in dialogue while warning of consequences if they refuse.
Tensions between the two nations have steadily increased since Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during his first term in office.
That agreement had provided Iran with sanctions relief in exchange for strict limits on its nuclear program, verified by IAEA inspectors. In response to the US withdrawal and renewed sanctions, Iran began rolling back its commitments and expanded its nuclear activities.
As Saturday’s talks approach, Iran’s latest warning signals a hardening stance amid fears that continued pressure and threats could derail the last diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis.
