Tehran [Iran], June 28: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Friday the insistence of the United Nations nuclear watchdog's chief on visiting Iran's bombed nuclear sites is "meaningless."
He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X while accusing Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi of facilitating the adoption of a resolution by the agency's Board of Governors against Tehran and the bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States and Israel.
"Grossi's insistence on visiting the bombed sites under the pretext of safeguards is meaningless and possibly even malign in intent. Iran reserves the right to take any steps in defense of its interests, its people, and its sovereignty," he said.
He pointed to a recent plan approved by the Iranian parliament, and later passed into law by the country's Constitutional Council, which called for a halt in Iran's collaboration with the IAEA, adding, "This is a direct result of Grossi's regrettable role in obfuscating the fact that the agency had -- a full decade ago -- already closed all past issues (with Iran)."
Grossi on Friday highlighted the necessity for IAEA inspectors to continue their verification activities in Iran, "as required under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement," according to a statement published on the agency's website.
On June 13, Israel launched major airstrikes on different areas in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing several senior commanders, nuclear scientists and many civilians. Iran responded by launching several waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel, inflicting casualties and damage.
Later last week, the U.S. Air Force bombed three Iranian nuclear sites of Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. In retaliation, Iran on Monday struck the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar with missiles.
Following the 12-day war, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was achieved on Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua
