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IAEA chief says condemning Israeli assassination of Iran's nuclear scientists not his responsibility

Iran Press TV

Monday, 08 September 2025 3:22 PM

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has doubled down on his refusal to condemn the targeted assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists during the June aggression, saying the issue does not fall within his responsibilities.

Rafael Grossi made the remarks on Monday at a press conference following a quarterly meeting of the IAEA's Board of Governors in the Austrian capital of Vienna.

Asked whether he would condemn Israel's assassination of Iranian nuclear engineers and scientists, he said as a diplomat, he would never condemn, rejoice, or endorse any physical act of violence.

"I believe that this is not something that as director general of the IAEA falls within my purview," he added.

"I don't think getting into political criticism, finger-pointing, attribution of guilt, and things like that are helpful," he said.

Earlier at the Board meeting, Grossi said that the talks between the agency and Iran on the issue of inspections have made progress, but time is running out.

"There is still time, but not much," he said. "Progress has been made. It is my sincere hope that within the next few days it will be possible to come to a successful conclusion of these discussions in order to facilitate the resumption, the full resumption, of our indispensable work with Iran."

On June 25, the Iranian Parliament unanimously passed legislation requiring the government to suspend all cooperation with the IAEA.

The legislation was passed a day after Iran, through its successful retaliatory operations, managed to impose a halt to the 12-day aggression that also targeted three of the country's nuclear sites in a clear violation of international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Under the law, IAEA inspectors will not be permitted to enter Iran unless the security of the country's nuclear facilities and that of peaceful nuclear activities is guaranteed, which is subject to the approval of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.

The rationale for the move was the IAEA's politically motivated resolution, which paved the way for the aggression against the Islamic Republic, and the agency's failure to condemn the terrorist assault.

Iran is now holding talks with the IAEA aimed at devising a new framework for bilateral cooperation with the UN's atomic watchdog.

At his press conference, Grossi said that the IAEA and Iran have held several technical meetings in Tehran and Vienna at different levels, noting that the process is "moving in the right direction."

He further hoped he would be able to visit Tehran as part of the normalization of the IAEA's relations with Iran.