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Tensions between Iran and the United States are once again nearing a boiling point, as a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning on Thursday. Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, one of the regime’s most influential voices on security matters, said Iran may expel international nuclear inspectors and take other drastic measures if external threats continue to grow. His comments come just days before critical diplomatic talks between Iranian and U.S. officials, and amid renewed threats of military action from Washington.
A Harsh Warning from Tehran
Shamkhani, speaking on social media platform X, stated that persistent military threats and the atmosphere of potential conflict might force Tehran to reconsider its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Among the measures under consideration, he noted, are the expulsion of UN inspectors and relocation of enriched uranium to secure facilities—a move likely to heighten fears over the country’s nuclear intentions.
“The continuation of external threats and Iran being in a state of military attack may lead to deterrent measures, including expulsion of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency and cessation of cooperation,” Shamkhani said.
“Transfer of enriched materials to secure locations may also be considered,” he added.
This represents the most direct warning from a high-ranking Iranian official since renewed talk of military intervention surfaced in Washington.
Trump: “Military Option Absolutely on the Table”
The warning comes on the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on Wednesday, in which he emphasized that military action against Iran remains a real possibility if diplomatic efforts fail. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “If necessary, absolutely,” when asked about the prospect of military engagement with Iran.
Notably, Trump also mentioned that Israel would play a leading role in any such military campaign, underscoring the increasingly fragile nature of the geopolitical landscape in the region.
Oman Talks: A Last-Chance Diplomatic Push
Saturday’s meeting in the Gulf sultanate of Oman between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is being viewed by many observers as a crucial—perhaps final—opportunity to de-escalate tensions. The Biden administration, like previous U.S. governments, continues to seek limits on Iran’s nuclear program, which Western powers fear could be a front for developing nuclear weapons.
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Although Iran has repeatedly rejected direct talks with Washington, it has left the door open to indirect negotiations, especially with intermediaries such as Oman, which has historically played a quiet but effective role in U.S.-Iran backchannel diplomacy.
The Nuclear Deal and Its Collapse
Iran’s nuclear crisis traces back to the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015. The agreement was a breakthrough at the time, offering Iran relief from harsh international sanctions in return for strict limitations on its nuclear activities, closely monitored by the IAEA.
However, the deal began to unravel in 2018 when President Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the JCPOA during his first term in office. The U.S. then reinstated heavy economic sanctions on Iran, crippling its economy and prompting Tehran to slowly step away from its own commitments under the deal.
By mid-2019, Iran had resumed uranium enrichment beyond JCPOA limits, curtailed IAEA inspections, and made advancements in its nuclear technology, sparking widespread concern among Western and regional powers.
What Expelling Inspectors Could Mean
If Iran follows through on its threat to expel UN nuclear inspectors, it would mark a dramatic shift and a major breach of its international obligations. Without IAEA monitoring, the transparency surrounding Iran’s nuclear program would vanish, increasing fears that Iran could move closer to developing a nuclear weapon without the world’s knowledge.
Such a step would not only isolate Iran further on the global stage but could also trigger military responses, particularly from Israel, which has long declared that a nuclear-armed Iran is a red line.
A Region on Edge
The Middle East is no stranger to high-stakes brinkmanship, but the latest developments underscore just how delicate the situation has become. With Washington and Tehran still far apart, and with Israel watching closely, the risk of miscalculation—or deliberate escalation—is high.
The coming days will be critical. All eyes will be on Oman this Saturday, where the diplomatic teams of two long-time adversaries will either inch closer to renewed cooperation—or push the region toward the brink of conflict.
