New Delhi: Dubbing them as “unacceptable”, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has slammed calls made by Iran to arrest and execute International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief General Rafael Grossi. Rubio also asked the international community to condemn such threats.
Taking to X, Rubio posted, “Calls in Iran for the arrest and execution of IAEA Director General Grossi are unacceptable and should be condemned.”
He added, “We support the IAEA’s critical verification and monitoring efforts in Iran and commend the Director General and the IAEA for their dedication and professionalism. We call on Iran to provide for the safety and security of IAEA personnel.”
Calls in Iran for the arrest and execution of IAEA Director General Grossi are unacceptable and should be condemned.
We support the lAEA’s critical verification and monitoring efforts in Iran and commend the Director General and the lAEA for their dedication and professionalism.…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 28, 2025
The threats come amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington over US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran’s parliament recently passed a bill mandating the suspension of cooperation with the IAEA unless assurances are given for the protection of its nuclear sites.
After the bill got the nod of Iran’s Guardian Council, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “From now on, our relationship and cooperation with the (International Atomic Energy) Agency will take a new form.”
Iran has dismissed Grossi’s request to inspect the nuclear sites targeted by Israeli and US strikes, accusing the move of reflecting a “malign intent”.
Grossi has sounded a warning that Iran is “not far” from acquiring nuclear weapons capability and has requested for renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent a crisis. Indirect talks between the US and Iran are expected to take place next week.
Iran has flayed Grossi for not condemning the Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear sites, accusing him of indirectly paving the path for the attacks through a May 31 report that emphasised Iran’s nuclear ambitions.