Iran Urges IAEA to Cease Political Pressure During Nuclear Discussions

Tehran — Iran has stated that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must avoid exerting pressure on Tehran if it wishes to play a role in the diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabad, stated on Saturday that the UN nuclear watchdog should not transform technical reports into instruments of political pressure. “If the agency wants to be part of a diplomatic solution, it must refrain from turning technical reports into tools for political pressure,” Gharibabad wrote via the X platform.

He further added that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has, to date, failed to condemn the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran’s nuclear facilities. According to Gharibabad, the agency cannot report on the impact of such attacks and demand that Iran bear the technical and political consequences while remaining silent regarding the perpetrators of the strikes.

Previously, on 28 February, the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on several targets in Iran, including Tehran, resulting in damage and civilian casualties. Iran subsequently retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and United States military facilities in the Middle East.

On 7 April, Washington and Tehran announced a ceasefire; however, subsequent negotiations held in Islamabad concluded without a breakthrough. In June 2025, the United States launched an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in an operation known as Operation Midnight Hammer. To reach an agreement with Iran, Washington is demanding the relocation of nuclear materials and the abandonment of Tehran’s nuclear weapons ambitions, allegations which Iran has consistently denied.