Tehran (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Iran cannot be expected to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency as usual when the security of agency inspectors can’t be guaranteed just days after Israeli and U.S. strikes hit nuclear sites, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that collaboration between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) “can’t continue as usual” in light of Israeli aggression on Iran.
At a press conference, Baghaei asked IAEA General Director Rafael Grossi what he expects
“when peaceful Iranian facilities are targeted, that we can ensure the security of the inspectors, and on the other hand, you cannot expect the [International Atomic Energy] Agency and the Director General [Rafael Grossi] to remain silent when an Agency member is attacked.”
He also emphasized that
“the agency must reconsider its approach.”
Additionally, Baghaei noted that the IAEA must act unbiased and
“act away from political approaches,”
While nudging Grossi to stick to the
“framework of his technical duties and not be influenced by some members of the agency.”
What triggered Iran’s backlash against Rafael Grossi?
A few days ago, Iran’s leaders announced they will no longer work with the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following U.S. and Israeli strikes.
“The Parliament of Iran has voted for a halt to collaboration with the IAEA until the safety and security of our nuclear activities can be guaranteed,”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X.
“This is a direct result of @rafaelmgrossi’s regrettable role in obfuscating the fact that the Agency—a full decade ago—already closed all past issues,”
Araghchi also said, mentioning IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
Iran’s Araghchi also criticized Grossi for failing to condemn Israel’s attacks, after accusing the watchdog of leaking details about the country’s nuclear program to Israeli leaders.
“The IAEA and its Director-General are fully responsible for this sordid state of affairs. @rafaelmgrossi’s insistence on visiting the bombed sites under the pretext of safeguards is meaningless and possibly even malign in intent,”
Araghchi noted.
