WANA (Dec 18) – The Deputy for Legal and International Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to recent comments by Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on Iran’s nuclear program, labeling them as speculative and contrary to the IAEA’s mandate.

 

Kazem Gharibabadi reacted to Grossi’s interview with the Italian news agency ANSA, where he claimed: “Iran is enriching uranium close to military-grade levels and rapidly advancing toward becoming a nuclear weapons state. The JCPOA is no longer relevant, and a new framework is needed to address the realities of Iran’s nuclear program.”

 

In a post on his X account, Gharibabadi countered:

Mandate Breach: He emphasized that Grossi’s role is to rely on inspectors’ technical reports, not hypothetical scenarios. Speculative remarks violate the IAEA’s statute.

 

Program Compliance: Iran’s nuclear development aligns with its technical needs and remains under IAEA safeguards.

 

Sovereign Rights: Peaceful nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment, is an internationally recognized right. Grossi’s politically charged statements ignore this principle.

 

No Military Intent: Iran’s enrichment has no military objectives. Under the NPT, enrichment within peaceful boundaries and under supervision has no legal restrictions. Grossi’s remarks infringe on member states’ rights.

 

Root Causes Ignored: Gharibabadi criticized Grossi for omitting the primary cause of the current situation—the unilateral U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA and non-compliance by other parties. Such selective narratives erode international trust in the UN’s objectivity.

 

He concluded by stressing that constructive, fair dialogue based on mutual respect and balanced commitments, including sanctions relief, is the only sustainable path forward.