ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Iran has refused a request from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi to inspect its nuclear facilities damaged during recent clashes with Israel, deepening tensions between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog.
Tehran Rejects IAEA Inspection Request
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized Grossi’s appeal on Monday via social media platform X, describing it as “meaningless” and “possibly malign in intent.” He pledged that Iran would take “any steps in defence of its interests, its people and its sovereignty.”
This refusal follows Iranian frustration with the IAEA’s perceived failure to condemn Israeli and US attacks on Iranian territory during a 12-day conflict in June.
Suspension of Cooperation with IAEA
President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, announced that Iran has suspended cooperation with the IAEA, citing the agency chief’s “destructive behaviour.” According to the president’s office, this move is a “natural response” to the IAEA’s stance, particularly a June 12 resolution accusing Iran of nuclear non-compliance—just one day before Israel’s airstrikes.
Iranian lawmakers also voted Wednesday to suspend all cooperation with the IAEA, directly linking the decision to the June 13 Israeli attacks and subsequent US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. A ceasefire between Iran and Israel took effect on June 24.
Political Pressures and International Reactions
Al Jazeera correspondent Resul Serdar reported from Tehran that Iranian leadership views the IAEA as influenced by political pressure from Israel and the United States, despite its technical and neutral mandate.
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement condemning “threats” against IAEA Director General Grossi and urged Iran to resume full cooperation. “France, Germany and the United Kingdom condemn threats against the director general of the IAEA Rafael Grossi and reiterate our full support to the agency,” the statement said. The three countries called on Tehran to “immediately resume full cooperation in line with its legally binding obligations.”
The ultra-conservative Iranian newspaper Kayhan recently alleged that Grossi was an Israeli spy and called for his execution, further escalating tensions. Iran has dismissed such accusations as baseless. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the parliament’s suspension of cooperation reflects the “concern and anger of Iranian public opinion” and blamed Western nations for their “political approach” to Iran’s nuclear program.
Human Cost and Diplomatic Efforts
The recent Iran-Israel conflict reportedly caused at least 935 Iranian deaths, including 132 women and 38 children, according to judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir.
Meanwhile, the Group of Seven (G7) nations welcomed the ceasefire and urged renewed negotiations addressing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “We reaffirm that Iran can never have nuclear weapons, and urge Iran to refrain from reconstituting its unjustified enrichment activities,” the G7 said in a joint statement.
Qatar, involved in previous diplomatic efforts, confirmed ongoing mediation attempts. In a phone call with Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President Pezeshkian issued an official apology following the targeting of Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, during the recent hostilities.
