Iran accuses IAEA of creating "ambiguity" over nuclear programme

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has accused the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of using the aftermath of US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities to create what he described as “ambiguity” surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme.

In a post on X following a recent IAEA report and comments by the agency’s Director General Rafael Grossi, Gharibabadi argued that concerns raised about access to damaged facilities, the status of Iran’s uranium stockpile, and what the agency calls a loss of “continuity of knowledge” did not arise “in a vacuum," foreign media reports. 

He said the issues stemmed from military attacks on safeguarded Iranian nuclear facilities and criticized Grossi for failing to condemn the strikes.

Gharibabadi also rejected the agency’s focus on Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity and assessments of potential weapons-related activities. He argued that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) does not impose a specific limit on uranium enrichment levels and said the key legal issue is whether nuclear material is diverted for military purposes.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is peaceful. However, the IAEA has repeatedly called for greater access to Iranian facilities and sought clarification regarding Tehran’s uranium stockpile and monitoring gaps.

Gharibabadi said the agency could not report on the consequences of military attacks, overlook those responsible, and then expect Iran to bear the resulting technical and political costs.

“If the agency wants to be part of a diplomatic solution, it must avoid turning technical reports into tools of political pressure,” he wrote.

By Sabina Mammadli