WANA (Feb 20) – Kazem Gharibabadi, Director General for Legal and International Affairs at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, criticized recent remarks by Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), calling them “unprofessional” and “politically motivated.”

 

In a post on his X account, Gharibabadi responded to Grossi’s statements made during a press conference in Tokyo, where he claimed that Iran is enriching uranium up to 60%—“close to weapons-grade”—and that Tehran is not cooperating with the IAEA as expected. Grossi also stated that while his visit to Iran in November was “constructive,” Iran must still prove it is not pursuing nuclear weapons.

 

Gharibabadi pushed back against Grossi’s remarks, emphasizing that:

 

Uranium Enrichment and NPT Compliance

He stated that uranium enrichment levels are not restricted under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and that the only obligation for non-nuclear weapon states is to prevent deviation toward weaponization. Grossi’s claim that 60% enrichment is “almost weapons-grade” is legally and technically baseless, he said.

 

He also called on the IAEA chief to clarify his stance on the AUKUS security pact, which involves the U.S., the U.K., and Australia deploying nuclear-powered submarines with weapons-grade fuel in the Pacific—a move that poses a serious proliferation risk.

 

Iran’s Cooperation with the IAEA

Gharibabadi criticized Grossi’s complaint that Iran is not cooperating as the agency “desires,” stressing that Tehran fulfills its obligations under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. He questioned whether Grossi had ever urged Western powers to lift their “unjust and illegal” sanctions against Iran, just as he insists on more verification measures from Tehran.

 

Selective Silence on Western Actions

He pointed out the inconsistency in Grossi’s approach, noting that while the IAEA chief acknowledged his November visit to Iran as constructive, he failed to condemn the Western-led resolution against Tehran at the IAEA Board of Governors—an action that disregarded the progress made during his trip.

 

Politicization of Iran’s Nuclear Program

Gharibabadi criticized Grossi’s assertion that there is a need to “prevent the possibility” of Iran developing nuclear weapons and that Tehran must “prove” it is not pursuing them.

 

He called it highly unprofessional for the head of an international organization to base statements on speculation rather than concrete reports from IAEA inspectors. Iran’s nuclear program, he reiterated, remains peaceful, fully monitored by the agency, and has not deviated from its legal commitments.

 

The Iranian official concluded by urging Grossi to uphold the IAEA’s professionalism and impartiality rather than echoing politically motivated narratives.