Iran Defiantly Dismisses IAEA Chief’s Request to Inspect Nuclear Facilities, Labeling It ‘Meaningless and Malign’
Iran has dismissed a request by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi to inspect its nuclear facilities, which were recently affected by U.S. military actions. Tehran described the call as “meaningless” and suggested it could potentially have “malign intent.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized Rafael Grossi’s determination to visit the bombed sites, describing it as “meaningless and potentially harmful,” under the guise of safeguards. Araghchi expressed these views in a post on his X account on Friday.
He stated that Iran maintains the right to take necessary actions to protect its interests, citizens, and sovereignty.
Iranian official Araghchi’s announcement followed a call from the head of the UN nuclear agency, who urged the IAEA’s Board of Governors on Monday to grant immediate access to certain sites to evaluate potential damage. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the UN nuclear agency’s report, labeling it “alarmist” and suggesting it was influenced by Western pressure, providing Israel a justification for aggression against Iran.
On Sunday morning, the nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan in Iran were subjected to unprovoked and unlawful attacks, an operation for which Trump promptly assumed responsibility.
During the NATO summit held in the Netherlands on Wednesday, Trump asserted the “total obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear program amid aggressive actions described as clear violations of international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Contrary to Trump’s assertions, a preliminary assessment leaked from the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) indicates that the attacks inflicted only minimal damage on the three targeted facilities.
The report highlighted that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium remains unaltered, contradicting Trump’s assertions that the nation’s nuclear program was concluded. Additionally, Iran’s parliament has passed legislation to halt cooperation with the United Nations nuclear agency.
Araghchi announced that the Iranian parliament has voted to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) until assurances are provided regarding the safety and security of the nation’s nuclear activities.
The senior Iranian diplomat pointed out that the situation is a direct consequence of Rafael Grossi’s unfortunate involvement in obscuring the fact that the Agency had resolved all past issues over ten years ago.
He stated that Grossi’s detrimental actions significantly contributed to the adoption of a politically-driven resolution by the 35-member Board of Governors against Iran, as well as the illegal Israeli and US bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities.
On June 12, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved a resolution alleging Iran’s “non-compliance” with its nuclear commitments. Sponsored by Britain, France, and Germany, and receiving backing from the United States, the resolution was adopted with 19 votes in favor, three opposing, and 11 abstentions.
In his statement, Araghchi accused Grossi of neglecting his responsibilities, highlighting a failure to explicitly denounce clear breaches of IAEA safeguards and its Statute.
The Iranian foreign minister has attributed the current troubled situation to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its Director-General, holding them fully accountable for the developments.
The Israeli government carried out a comprehensive military operation targeting Iranian territory on June 13. The strikes focused on multiple military and nuclear facilities, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking military officials, nuclear scientists, and a number of civilians.
The health ministry reports that the recent hostilities involving the Islamic Republic have resulted in the deaths of 627 Iranians.
