Iran Rejects IAEA Chief’s Request to Inspect Bombed Nuclear Sites, Alleges ‘Malign Intent’
Iran rejects IAEA inspection of bombed nuclear sites, accuses chief Grossi of 'malign intent' and facilitating US/Israeli strikes. Parliament suspends cooperation with UN watchdog amid Western fears over uranium stockpile. Tehran warns of defending sovereignty as nuclear tensions escalate.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iran on Friday firmly rejected a request by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi to inspect nuclear sites bombed during the recent US and Israeli airstrikes, accusing the UN nuclear chief of harboring “malign intent” and failing to condemn the attacks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on X that “Grossi’s insistence on visiting the bombed sites under the pretext of safeguards is meaningless and possibly even malign in intent.”
Iran accuses Grossi of facilitating attacks
Araghchi directly blamed Grossi for what he described as an “astounding betrayal of his duties,” alleging that the IAEA chief “facilitated the unlawful Israeli and US bombings” by undermining Tehran’s previous attempts at cooperation. He pointed to a May 31 IAEA report that criticized Iran’s cooperation as “less than satisfactory,” saying it “obfuscated” Iran’s efforts to address international concerns and helped pave the way for the 12-day military campaign launched by Israel on June 13.
The Iranian parliament has since approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. Araghchi confirmed that Tehran’s new approach toward the IAEA would remain in place “until the safety and security of our nuclear activities can be guaranteed.”
Tehran warns of consequences in defense of sovereignty
In his statement, Araghchi emphasized that Iran “reserves the right to take any steps in defence of its interests, its people, and its sovereignty.” The warning comes as tensions between Iran and Western powers remain high in the aftermath of the strikes.
Grossi had urged Iran on Monday to grant inspectors access to determine the fate of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, following international speculation that the material may have been relocated ahead of the airstrikes.
Western fears over Iran’s uranium stockpile
Concerns persist in Israel and across Western capitals regarding whether Iran managed to move its uranium stockpile before the air raids. The lack of international inspections since the onset of hostilities has heightened fears about Iran’s nuclear intentions and opacity.
Despite repeated calls from the IAEA, Tehran has maintained its rejection of any new inspections, asserting that international oversight must first be conditioned on the assurance of its nuclear infrastructure’s safety from further attacks.
