TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, has denied that Tehran poses any threat to Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), or to the agency’s inspectors, amid mounting global concern over provocative media rhetoric and Iran’s suspension of nuclear oversight cooperation.
“There is not any threat,” Iravani said in an interview with CBS on Sunday, June 29, 2025, responding to calls from a hard-line Iranian newspaper labelling Grossi a “spy” and urging his execution.
Iravani added that IAEA inspectors working in Iran remain “in safe conditions.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of severe diplomatic tensions, as Iran continues to restrict access to its nuclear facilities following the Friday, June 13, 2025, Israeli airstrikes that damaged multiple sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
The strikes occurred just one day after the IAEA passed a resolution accusing Iran of violating its nuclear commitments—a resolution Tehran contends was biased and inflammatory.
Iranian officials have accused Grossi of enabling the attacks by publicly criticising Iran’s non-cooperation with nuclear safeguards.
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, alleged during a funeral procession that Grossi’s “silence” on Israeli aggression amounted to complicity.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed the sentiment, dismissing Grossi’s request to access the bombed nuclear sites as “meaningless and possibly even malign in intent.”
“Grossi betrayed his duties,” Araghchi said, accusing the IAEA chief of contributing to a hostile narrative that served as justification for military escalation.
In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a strong condemnation of the inflammatory rhetoric emerging from Iran.
“Calls in Iran for the arrest and execution of IAEA Director General Grossi are unacceptable and should be condemned,” Rubio posted on X.
“We support the IAEA’s critical verification and monitoring efforts in Iran and commend the Director General and the IAEA for their dedication and professionalism.”
Germany also weighed in. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Tehran to “stop threats against IAEA personnel,” describing such statements as “deeply troubling” and a blow to international nuclear diplomacy.
“The Iranian parliament’s vote to end collaboration with the agency was a totally wrong signal,” Wadephul said.
“Iran must fully cooperate with the IAEA and ensure the safety of its personnel.”
Since mid-June, Iran has barred IAEA inspectors from accessing its nuclear sites.
Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council said it would not permit further inspections until it receives assurances that nuclear facilities would not be targeted again.
That precondition has raised fears that Iran may be inching closer to exiting the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) altogether.
Director General Grossi has warned that the damage inflicted by U.S. and Israeli strikes, while significant, is not total.
“Iran has the capacities there—industrial and technological capacities,” he said in a separate interview.
“They could resume enrichment in a matter of months.”
Grossi also raised alarm over the potential relocation of nearly 408 kilograms of enriched uranium, stating: “We don’t know where this material could be.”
Iran has yet to clarify whether some or all of its stockpile was moved before the strikes.
Ambassador Iravani reiterated Iran’s official position that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, and reaffirmed its right to enrich uranium.
While indicating a willingness to return to the negotiating table, Iravani said “the current conditions are not suitable for negotiations.”
He warned that any talks with the United States would only resume if Washington “refrains from imposing conditions” on Tehran.
