Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said Sunday that Tehran poses no threat to the head of the UN nuclear watchdog nor its inspectors, after an Iranian newspaper claimed that Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi was an Israeli spy and called for him to be executed.
Iran’s ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper recently alleged that unspecified documents showed Grossi to be an Israeli spy.
“It should therefore be officially announced that he will be tried and executed upon arrival in Iran for spying for the Mossad and participating in the murder of the oppressed people of our country,” the newspaper said.
“No, there is not any threat” against the inspectors or the director general, Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said in an interview with US broadcaster CBS. The ambassador said inspectors in Iran were “in safe conditions.”
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, however, called Grossi’s request to visit Iranian nuclear facilities that were targeted by American and Israeli airstrikes “meaningless” and “possibly malign in intent.”
The IAEA issued a report shortly before Israel attacked Iran earlier this month saying that Tehran was carrying out covert nuclear activities with material not declared to the UN watchdog.
The Iranian hostility to Grossi drew a sharp rebuke from Germany, Argentina, and France on Sunday.
“I commend Director General Rafael Grossi and his team for their unrelenting professionalism. Threats against them from within Iran are deeply troubling and must stop,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrote on X.
The foreign ministry of Argentina, Grossi’s home country, said it “categorically condemns the threats against him coming from Iran.”
And French President Emmanuel Macron said he held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in which he called on Iran to come to the negotiating table to address ballistic and nuclear issues and to allow the IAEA to resume its work in Iran.
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Iran’s Araghchi also demanded that the UN Security Council formally hold Israel and the United States to blame for starting the war “and acknowledge their subsequent responsibility, including the payment of compensation and reparations.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday condemned what it called “the offensive remarks and undignified behavior of the president of the United States regarding the supreme leader and the people of Iran.”
US President Donald Trump on Friday said Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a “blatant and foolish” statement when the cleric-leader threatened to repeat the “slap” Tehran had dealt American forces in the region when it fired missiles at a US base in Qatar in response to the bombing of its nuclear sites. The missile attack caused no casualties, and Iran reportedly warned Qatar about it in advance.
“You have to tell the truth,” Trump said of Khamenei. “You got beat to hell.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry statement, as quoted by UK-based Iran International, said that Trump’s comments “deeply wounded the sentiments of hundreds of millions of Muslims in the region and around the world.”
“Undoubtedly, these insulting and bullying remarks and actions against Iran and the respected political and religious figures of Iranians and Muslims will only intensify disgust and hatred toward America’s short-sighted policies and further discredit its claims of seeking dialogue and engagement.”
Israel and Iran entered into open conflict on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes targeting Iran’s top military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment sites and ballistic missile program. Israel said the campaign was necessary to prevent the Islamic Republic from realizing its declared plan to destroy the Jewish state. On June 22, the US struck key Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran retaliated for Israel’s attacks by launching over 500 ballistic missiles and around 1,000 drones at Israel. Iran’s missile attacks killed 28 people and wounded thousands in Israel, according to health officials and hospitals. Missiles hit apartment buildings, a university, and a hospital, causing heavy damage. Iran also fired at a US base in Qatar after the American strikes.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.