Iran Accuses IAEA Chief Grossi of Politicizing Agency for War

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, accused International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on Friday of transforming the agency from a body reliant on technical expertise, neutrality, and independence into a tool for political justification and war. Kanaani stated on "X" that when the IAEA's reports become "raw material used in building threat narratives and establishing political and legal justifications against a country," the line between technical oversight and preparation for military aggression becomes "blurred and dangerous." He argued this harms the agency's reputation and its credibility as an independent and neutral body, making it a "partner in the political preparation for an illegitimate war, waged in service of Israel's interests." Kanaani asserted that responsibility for war should extend beyond those who give orders or carry out attacks to include those who justify the aggressors' actions.

These remarks follow comments made by Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Akbar Velayati on Thursday, who warned that the IAEA's "political moves" would push countries to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Iranian statements came after Grossi indicated in an interview that IAEA inspectors had not yet been able to inspect a tunnel complex within Mount "Fas" near the main Natanz uranium enrichment facility, despite satellite imagery showing signs of new activity. This also follows a resolution passed by the IAEA Board of Governors on Wednesday, informing the UN Security Council that Iran had violated its non-proliferation commitments, an action aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran.