Addressing the IAEA Board of Governors, the U.S. representative stated that “Iran’s recent actions and statements regarding its nuclear program are deeply concerning”, adding that “there is no credible reason for Iran to expand its nuclear program, and there is no way to read this as anything other than a crude and transparent attempt to extort payments from the international community”. Referring to the recent incidents in the Persian Gulf, she underscored that “Iran’s current nuclear posture is clearly aimed at escalating tensions rather than defusing them… such brinksmanship and extortion tactics will neither resolve the current impasse nor bring Iran sanctions relief”. She further iterated that “the path forward remains clear: in order to end to sanctions pressure, Iran must meet our diplomacy with diplomacy, end its destabilising actions, and take lasting steps that permanently close off any pathway to nuclear weapons”.