WANA (Sep 12) – Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, described the current management of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as weak and destructive, saying it has effectively given a “blank check” to the United States and Iran’s enemies and acts as an instigator.

 

In an interview, regarding the current situation of the IAEA, Larijani said: “As far as I know, the IAEA has never been in such a destructive and weak state. During Mr. ElBaradei’s tenure and even afterward, although the agency operated under Western influence, there was at least some rationality and respect for international norms. But the current management appears to have handed a blank check to the U.S. and Iran’s enemies, effectively playing the role of an instigator.”

 

He added: “It is shameful that, according to the safeguards regulations, the agency is supposed to protect member states, but in practice, it has done nothing. It has not even convened urgent meetings of the Board of Governors or referred issues to the UN Security Council when necessary. It has been so passive that it has not even issued a simple condemnation [for the US-Israeli attack on Iran].”

 

Larijani emphasized: “A person with such performance is not even worthy of being the director-general of the agency. Even Mr. ElBaradei, under all international pressure, at least preserved some professional dignity and credibility for the agency. But today, the IAEA has reached a point where it remains silent even in the face of attacks on our nuclear facilities, without issuing a single statement of condemnation. This is truly the height of disgrace.”

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), press conference in Vienna on June 09, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency