‘Iran-Linked Individuals’: IAEA Chief Protected by 24/7 Security Detail After Threat From Tehran

Latest Developments

Grossi Under Protection: Following a threat from Iran, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has been the subject of round-the-clock protection by the Austrian security services’ elite “Cobra” unit since late June. The security detail, which includes officers armed with submachine guns and equipped with at least two bulletproof vehicles, was assigned to Grossi after Austrian intelligence services identified a threat to the IAEA head from “Iran-linked individuals,” sources told The Wall Street Journal. “We can confirm that Austria provided a Cobra unit, but we cannot confirm where the specific threat came from,” said an IAEA spokesperson.
Iran’s Previous Threats to Grossi: The Islamic Republic formally suspended ties with the IAEA on July 2. Iranian judiciary official Ali Mozaffari stated that Grossi may be tried in absentia for “deceptive actions and falsified reports” that Tehran claimed had enabled Israel to strike key nuclear facilities during its air campaign in June. The head of Iran’s National Security Council, Ali Larijani, stated during the fighting that “when the war ends, [Iran] will settle the score with Grossi.” In late June, the hardline conservative newspaper Kayhan accused Grossi of being an Israeli spy, prompting the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations to offer reassurances that Tehran poses no threat to the IAEA chief.
Snapback Initiation Approaching: The United Kingdom, France, and Germany, known as the E3, are reportedly set to begin the process of reimposing UN sanctions on Iran under the “snapback” mechanism as soon as August 28. To avoid renewed sanctions, Tehran must provide satisfactory commitments over the future of its nuclear program before UN Security Council Resolution 2231 — which endorsed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal — expires on October 18. European diplomats from the E3 said that talks held on August 26 with Iran were inconclusive and that the process of restoring sanctions covering Iran’s financial, banking, hydrocarbons, and defense sectors would begin this week.

FDD Expert Response

“Iran’s targeting of the head of a UN agency that oversees nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy should warrant universal condemnation. The E3 must restore UN sanctions on Iran to prevent the regime from rebuilding a nuclear weapons program, refining and selling missiles and drones, and arming terrorists.” — Andrea Stricker, Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow

“Iran’s threats against Grossi follow a long history of intimidatory tactics and targeted assassinations by Tehran. European officials are right to take enhanced precautions to safeguard their diplomats and personnel. Iran has lost all leverage to buy its way out of snapback sanctions and has no choice but to accept that its predicament is the outcome of pursuing an illegal nuclear weapons program and exporting terrorism across the globe.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations, FDD Action