Iran Threatens IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi Amid Nuclear Strike Fallout

Iran has escalated its rhetoric against Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing him of enabling Israeli and U.S. strikes on its nuclear facilities in June 2025. While no formal fatwa explicitly calls for his killing, Iranian officials’ menacing statements, prompted by a 12-day conflict that damaged sites like Natanz and killed key scientists, have raised alarms about his safety.

Iran’s Threats Against Grossi

Following Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, launched June 13, 2025, which targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, Iranian leaders singled out Grossi for the IAEA’s critical reports. On June 19, Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that Iran would “settle the account” with Grossi, citing an IAEA resolution on June 12 declaring Iran’s non-compliance with non-proliferation rules. The resolution flagged unexplained uranium traces at undeclared sites like Varamin and Turquzabad.

On June 28, Hamid Reza Haji Babaei, vice speaker of Iran’s parliament, banned Grossi from entering Iran and ordered IAEA surveillance cameras removed from nuclear sites, alleging the agency shared sensitive data with Israel. Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, accused Grossi on June 18 of delaying action, enabling Israel’s attacks. Former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, on June 19, called Grossi’s IAEA report “irresponsible,” blaming it for civilian deaths and launching a #Fire_Grossi campaign on X. Iran’s Press TV reported a formal complaint against Grossi on June 21, accusing him of breaching neutrality.

Unverified X posts by Max Blumenthal and Foad Izadi claimed Grossi provided Israel with names of nuclear scientists for assassination, but no evidence supports this.

Nuclear Conflict and Fatwa

The threats followed Israel’s strikes, which killed at least five Iranian nuclear scientists and damaged Natanz’s above-ground facilities. A related fatwa issued on June 29 by Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi targeted U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling them “mohareb” (enemies of God) for their role in the conflict. It urged Muslims to oppose them, with potential penalties including execution or exile, but did not name Grossi. Iran’s anger at the IAEA stems from its reports on a 400-kilogram stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, close to weapons-grade, and non-cooperation with inspections.

International Condemnation

The international community rallied behind Grossi. On June 28, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the threats unacceptable, praising the IAEA’s professionalism. France, Germany, and the UK issued a joint statement on June 20 supporting Grossi’s impartial monitoring. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reaffirmed backing for the IAEA, while Israel’s UN representative Danny Danon, on June 22, accused Iran of extortion through intimidation.

Stakes and Challenges

Grossi, who met Egyptian and Iranian officials in Cairo in early June, has pushed for diplomacy to resolve Iran’s nuclear issues, warning that the conflict risks undermining global non-proliferation. The IAEA reported significant damage to Fordow’s centrifuges and seeks access to assess safety risks, with no radiation spikes detected outside affected sites. Iran’s camera removal and ban on Grossi hinder inspections, raising fears of unmonitored nuclear material. In a June 27 *Face the Nation* interview, Grossi stressed Iran’s capability but lack of an active weapons program, urging dialogue.

Sources: The New York Sun, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, IAEA, CBS News, UN News, The Jerusalem Post, FDD, The Guardian