ISRAEL launched a sudden attack on Iran amid nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, which Iran attributes to the provocation by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi.
The accusation surfaced after Grossi said the watchdog did not have evidence of Iran's systematic move toward nuclear weapon development. IAEA previously reported that Iran violated its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years, as reported by Anadolu.
Why is IAEA's Reporting Controversial?
Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have been brewing for years, but its recent report brought the dispute to a boiling point. Just before Israel's attack on Iran, the IAEA released a report highlighting the uranium enrichment levels in Iran as "higher than those in countries without military nuclear programs."
This report was quickly used by Israel to justify its strikes. The timing and tone of the IAEA report, as well as the diplomatic context, have since been closely scrutinized. Although Grossi later clarified in an interview with CNN that the IAEA did not find evidence of Iran's systematic efforts to build nuclear weapons, this came only after the report had influenced diplomatic actions.
In a resolution driven by Germany, France, and the UK—three European signatories of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal—and backed by the U.S., the UN nuclear watchdog accused Iran of "non-compliance" with the nuclear deal. This resolution was then used as Israel's final pretext to launch aggressive warfare against Iran.
Iran's Response?
Iranian officials view these developments as more than just a coincidence. Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's ambassador to the UN, sent a letter to the UN Security Council condemning the "selective, politicized, and discriminatory" behavior of the IAEA leadership, alleging the agency of disregarding its principles of neutrality, professionalism, and objectivity.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei openly criticized Grossi, noting that him acknowledging the absence of evidence came too late—after the resolution and the attack. Baghaei accused Grossi of obstructing the truth in a biased report, which was then used by Israel to justify aggression against Iran.
This controversy has highlighted broader concerns about the vulnerability of international institutions to the political agendas of powerful states. Tehran had previously accused the IAEA of overstepping its technical mandate, but the current situation is seen as extremely dangerous. Tehran Times recently reported that Iran found sensitive documents related to the IAEA in occupied territories, indicating that the confidential communication between Tehran and the Agency may have been leaked, not stolen, which strengthens the suspicion that the IAEA is being used as a political tool.
IAEA's Response to Iran's Accusations?
According to Al Jazeera, the IAEA affirmed that it has fulfilled its responsibility to monitor nuclear activities and ensure compliance with non-proliferation obligations. Grossi has rejected Iran's claims that the agency is biased or influenced by political agendas, emphasizing that the IAEA operates independently and objectively.
The IAEA continues to play a crucial role in overseeing Iran's nuclear program amid the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the U.S., with the agency's findings impacting diplomatic discussions and potential sanctions.
Impact and Future Relations Between Iran and the IAEA?
Iran has signaled that it may reduce cooperation with the IAEA, possibly reverting to pre-JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) levels. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has warned that ongoing politicization could lead to policy changes.
While Grossi has called for restraint and a return to negotiations, Iranian officials remain unsatisfied. Mohammad Eslami, the head of AEOI, criticized Grossi for his "silence" in the face of Israeli attacks, and suggested legal action against the head of the IAEA for failing to uphold the agency's obligations.
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