IAEA chief Grossi rejects claims that report justifies Israel’s attacks on Iran

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief strongly rejects allegations that the IAEA Board of Governors' report of the 12 June provided Israel with the justification to attack Iran.

Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized that the agency’s role and reports can never be used to legitimize war.

“The role and report of the IAEA can never be used to legitimize any country’s military operations. This is a political matter, and political figures make these decisions. To claim the report greenlit the attacks is a deliberate misinterpretation,” Grossi said.

In his statement, Grossi said the IAEA closely monitors nuclear facilities through both Iran and international radiation monitoring systems. He emphasized that they have “functional communication” with Iran and that agency inspectors are constantly active in the field. He noted that they provide scientific and impartial assessments.

Grossi condemned the bombing near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, which is under Russian control, but refrained from politically interpreting Israel’s attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran. He stated that his responsibility is technical, not political.

Grossi also stated that Iran is the only country stockpiling highly enriched uranium but that there is no concrete evidence of nuclear weapons production.

He firmly denied allegations that Iranian scientists were targeted and killed after their identities were shared with the IAEA.

Rejecting accusations that Israel influences the IAEA, Grossi asserted the agency’s complete independence.

On 12 June, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution criticizing Iran for not fulfilling its obligations, marking the first time in 20 years that Iran was accused of violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Tehran condemned the decision and announced plans to establish a new uranium enrichment facility.

Following Israel’s attacks on 13 June, Iran’s Chief of General Staff, commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, and nine nuclear scientists were killed. Civilian casualties were reported at 224. Iran’s ballistic missile retaliation resulted in 24 deaths and more than 500 injuries. Many countries, including Türkiye, condemned Israel’s attacks.

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