Additional Coverage:
Tensions Rise as Iran Threatens IAEA Chief Following US Airstrikes
Florida Senator Marco Rubio condemned alleged threats against International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emanating from Iran. These threats, which reportedly include calls for Grossi’s arrest and execution, follow recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and the IAEA’s subsequent damage assessments.
Iranian parliament vice speaker Hamid Reza Haji Babaei reportedly accused Israel of obtaining sensitive data about Iranian facilities, subsequently banning Grossi and removing IAEA surveillance equipment. Rubio expressed support for the IAEA’s work, commending Grossi and his team, and urging Iran to guarantee the safety of IAEA personnel.
In an interview, Grossi confirmed damage at the Natanz and Isfahan sites, describing the damage at Natanz as “very serious.” He also noted the disappearance of approximately 900 pounds of potentially enriched uranium, stating the IAEA has no information on its current location, despite Iranian officials claiming they have taken protective measures. Grossi emphasized the IAEA’s responsibility to locate the missing material, as Iran is obligated to report on all its nuclear materials.
The State Department declined to comment beyond Rubio’s public statement.
These events follow the 2018 withdrawal of the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal by then-President Donald Trump, a move that has led to escalating tensions and threats from Iran regarding access to its nuclear facilities.