Grossi Played ‘Destructive Role’: Iranian Atomic Energy Chief Attacks IAEA Director General Over Israeli Strikes

Latest Developments

• Grossi Blamed for Israeli Attack: The head of Iran’s atomic energy agency lambasted the United Nations’ nuclear chief, Rafael Grossi, on June 18, saying that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general had played a “destructive role regarding Iran.” Mohammed Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), asserted that Grossi’s “procrastination paved the way” for Israel’s initiation of Operation Rising Lion against Iran. Eslami also claimed that all Iranian nuclear facilities were operating normally despite having been targeted by Israel.
• Location of Uranium Unknown: Grossi said on June 18 that the IAEA does not know with certainty where Iran’s stock of highly enriched 60 percent uranium is located. He added, “No country in the world is enriching uranium at this level of 60 percent — which is technically almost equivalent of 90 percent, which is needed to have a nuclear weapon.” Grossi emphasized, “Many high officials have said Iran has all the pieces of the puzzle” needed to make a nuclear weapon.
• Nuclear Infrastructure Targeted: Since June 13, Israel has conducted strikes on the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, the Esfahan nuclear center, and the headquarters of Iran’s nuclear research program, SPND. There have also been reports of strikes on the Parchin military complex, which is believed to contain an undeclared nuclear research facility, and the deeply buried Fordow uranium enrichment facility. Israel has also killed at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists since the start of the war.

FDD Expert Response

“Director General Grossi bent over backward not only to execute the IAEA’s safeguards mission but also to act as a fair arbiter of the Iran nuclear crisis. Had Tehran transparently dismantled its nuclear weapons work and abided by its nonproliferation obligations, it would not be the target of Israel’s preemptive attack.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“The Islamist regime in Iran has only itself to blame. For years, the international community gave it opportunity after opportunity to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons. It consistently refused, all while persistently chanting ‘Death to America’ and threatening to annihilate the Jewish state.” — Saeed Ghasseminejad, Senior Iran and Financial Economics Advisor

FDD Background and Analysis

“Centrifuge Factory and Police Headquarters Destroyed in Ongoing Israeli Strikes on Iran,” FDD Flash Brief

“Trump Remains Ambiguous on U.S. Participation in Strikes Against Iran as Khamenei Vows He Won’t Surrender,” FDD Flash Brief

“Natanz ‘May Have Imploded’: Israel Inflicts Damage on Key Iranian Nuclear Facilities,” FDD Flash Brief

“IAEA Declares Iran in Breach of Nuclear Nonproliferation Obligations,” FDD Flash Brief